ABSTRACT
Iodine deficiency (ID) is an endemic health problem in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh (HP). ID in pregnant mothers leads to neonatal hypothyroidism (NH), mental retardation, deaf mutism, squint, dwarfism, spastic dysplasia, neurological defects and congenital anomalies. NH can be assessed by estimating the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in cord blood samples. The present study was conducted with an objective to assess the prevalence of NH in district Kangra, HP. In district Kangra, all the hospitals providing obstetric services were enlisted. Three hospitals conducting more than 100 deliveries per year were selected randomly. A total of 613 umbilical cord blood samples of neonates were collected on filter papers and analyzed for TSH. TSH was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Neonates with TSH levels ⩾20 mIU/l were recalled for reassessment of TSH for confirmation of NH. Prevalence of NH was found to be 4.4%. This finding suggests the need for the implementation of a neonatal screening program for early detection of children with ID.
Subject(s)
Fetal Blood/metabolism , Hypothyroidism/epidemiology , Iodine/deficiency , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Thyrotropin/blood , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Hypothyroidism/blood , Hypothyroidism/diagnosis , India/epidemiology , Infant, Newborn , Neonatal Screening , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/blood , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , PrevalenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh(HP), India is a known endemic area for iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) since 1956. The present study was conducted in district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh with the objective to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency in school-age children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 1864 children in the age group of 6-12 years were included. Clinical examination of thyroid of all children was undertaken. 'On the spot' urine samples were collected from 463 children. The salt samples were collected from 327 children. RESULTS: The total goiter prevalence of 15.8% was found. The proportion of children with urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels <50.0, 50.0-99.9 and ≥ 100 µg/l was 2.2, 14.3 and 83.5%, respectively. The median UIE level was 200 µg/l. About 82.3% of the families were consuming salt with iodine content ≥ 15 ppm. CONCLUSION: The population in district Kangra is possibly in a transition phase from iodine deficient (as revealed by total goiter rate of 15.8%) to iodine sufficiency (as revealed by median UIE levels of 200 µg/l).