Assessment of Iodine Deficiency Disorders among Children in Rural Areas of Ajmer District, Rajasthan

Abstract

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is a major public health problem in the India. In spite of the fact that the technology available for its prevention; makes this problem the most amenable of the nutritional deficiencies. The present study was conducted to assess the Iodine Deficiency Disorder among school going children in rural areas of Ajmer district as no data are available on this aspect. A total of 100 school going children comprising 50 boys and 50 girls in the age group of 6–12 years were studied. Results of the anthropometry reveled that average height of girls and boys in the age group of 6–12 years was 121.27 and 128.72 cm and weight was 22.47 and 22.96 kg, respectively. Both height and weight of the children was lower as compared to NCHS standards. The total goiter prevalence rate in boys was 7 per cent and in girls it was 11 per cent. Goiter prevalence rate was found to be more in the age group of 11 years. Out of the total children suffering from IDD Grade I was present in 17 subjects and only one was suffering from Grade II. On the basis of urinary iodine excretion levels, 22 percent of the subjects were suffering from mild IDD. Sever and moderate IDD was found in 6 per cent subjects. Out of the total subjects studied 12 per cent  were consuming salt with no iodine content and 30 per cent of the subjects were consuming salt with an iodine content of less than 15 ppm and remaining were consuming salt with an iodine content of more than 15 ppm. Awareness about consumption of Iodized salt revealed that only 12 per cent of the   families were aware about the importance of iodized salt.

Keywords: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), goiter, iodized salt, urinary iodine excretion (UIE), total goiter rate (TGR)