IODINE DEFICIENCY

Iodine

 Found in thyroid gland

 Stored in the form of thyroglobulin
 Constituent of thyroid hormones thyroxine T4,
triiodothyronine T3

 The adult human body contains about 50 mg of

iodine

 Blood level is 8-12 micrograms / dl

 Natural element, essential to human life

 Most vital functions in the body depend upon I

FUNCTIONS

 Constituent of T3 & T4
 Regulates the rate of oxidation within cells
 Influences physical & mental growth
 Influences functioning of nervous & muscle tissue
 Influences circulatory activity
 Influences metabolism of all nutrients
 Essential for reproduction
RDA

GROUP Micro g / day

Adult 100-200
Pregnancy +25
Lactation +50
Infant 40-50
Children 70-120
Sources

 IODIZED SALT
 Sea foods
 Sea weed
 Salt water fish
 Shell fish
 Cod liver oil
 Egg
 Milk
 Meat products
 Vegetables
 Cereals
 Fresh water
 90 % from foods
 Remaining – water, soil
Goitrogens – chemical substances
Substances which interfere with iodine absorption
 Cabbage
 Raddish
 Cauliflower
 Peanuts
 Soyabean

GOITRE
Spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Foetus:
 Abortions
 Still Births
 Congenital Anomalies
 Increased PNMR
 Neurological Cretinism
 Myxedematotous Cretinism
Spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Neonate:
Neonatal Goitre
 Neonatal Hypothyroidism
Child & Adolescent:
 Juvenile Hypothyroidism
 Impaired Mental Function
 Retarded Physical development
Spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Adult:

 Goitre with its complication - Grade I, II, III,

multinodular
 Hypothyroidism
 Impaired Mental Function
 Mental & Physical growth

 Loss of Energy-hypothyroidism

 Learning Disability, Poor Motivation

 Child Development and Child Survival

 Human Resource Development

 Brain Cell Growth

Iodine Deficiency Iodine Sufficiency

Iodine Deficiency is the single most

common cause of preventable mental retardation
Endemic goitre
 Poor iodine content of soil
 Low content of iodine in food & water
 Prevalent in hilly areas
 Affects females than males
 Enlargement of thyroid gland
 Enlargement occurs because of excessive TSH
secretion increases
Cretinism
 Affects infants
 Pregnant – severely depleted iodine – insufficient
iodine for foetal development
Symptoms

 Low metabolic rate

 Muscular weakness
 Dry skin, enlarged tongue, thick lips
 Mental retardation
 Squint
 Affects lower limbs – gait
 Dry skin
 Deep hoarse voice
 Skeletal development retardation
 Weak abdominal muscle wall
 Epidemiological assessment if iodine
deficiency

 Prevalence of goitre
 Prevalence of cretinism
 Urinary iodine secretion
 Measurement of thyroid function, T4, TSH
 Prevalence of neonatal hypothyroidism
Prevention & Control

 NGCP – 1962
 NIDDCP – 1992
 Iodized salt
 Iodized salt
 Surveillance & monitoring
 Manpower planning
 Mass communication