Iodine status of children and use of iodized salt in Tarai region of North India.

A study was planned to investigate the iodine status of children 10-12 years old and the use of iodized salt. Goitre prevalence was estimated in 770 children between the ages of 10-12 years. The overall prevalence was 38.18 per 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 samples having 15 ppm or more of iodine were 95.53 per cent while 1.69 per cent samples were totally devoid of iodine content. It can be concluded that in spite of adequate availability and consumption of iodized salt, IDD still exists and is endemic in the region.