Iodine status of children and use of iodized salt in Tarai region of northIndia

A study was planned to investigate the iodine status of children 10-12 year s old and the use of iodized salt. Goitre prevalence was estimated in 770 c hildren between the ages of 10-12 years. The overall prevalence was 38.18 p er cent, Urinary iodine excretion was also estimated in morning samples. A total of 41.43 per cent children suffered from iodine deficiency disorder ( IDD) in the Tarai area. To obtain the iodine intake, salt samples from the children's families were collected and analysed for iodine content. Salt sa mples having 15 ppm or more of iodine were 95.53 per cent while 1.69 per ce nt samples were totally devoid of iodine content. It can be concluded that in spite of adequate availability and consumption of iodized salt, IDD stil l exists and is endemic in the region.