IODINE DEFICIENT DIET : CAUSE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

IODINE DEFICIENT DIET : CAUSE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
Today, three week long activities regarding Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs)
prevention day was concluded with the message to masses that “it is time to introspect, sensitize
and consensitize the citizens of our city beautiful to take forward as individual responsibility to
eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Worthy Director Health Services –cum-MD NHM Dr.
Suman Singh was the Chief Guest. Dr. Ranjana Mehta P.O NIDDCP apprised the gathering of
various activities under taken by the IDD cell of U.T Chandigarh & the achievements of the
programme. DHS addressed the gathering of Programme Officers, Medical Officers, Schools
teachers & students.
IDDS is a major public health problem worldwide. It is confirmed that one out of every
five people in India resides in IDD Endemic Areas. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people in the
world and over 200 million people are at risk of getting IDDS. India alone has more than 71
million people suffering from Goiter and other IDDS. Normal daily requirement of Iodine for an
individual is 100-150 micrograms and 200 micrograms for pregnant and lactating mothers and
sources of Iodine include sea food, sea fish, sea salt, sea weeds and cod liver oil. Small amounts
occur in milk, meat, cereals and vegetables.
A number of physical and mental disorders result from iodine deficiency disorders and
affect every stage of human life. There is increased risk of abortion, still birth, congenital
abnormalities, increased perinatal mortality, mental retardation, deaf and dumb, paralysis, squint
etc in fetal stage. In children there is neonatal goiter, hypothyroidism, physical and mental
growth retardation, lowering of IQ level, poor school grades and cretinism in extreme cases.
Adults manifest with impaired mental function, lower productivity, goiter with its complications.
Prevention and Control of IDD’s: Though the problems of iodine deficiency disorders are
severe and irreversible, its control and preventive measures are very simple and cheap. We can
prevent both present and future generation from the consequences of IDD’s just by consuming
good quality iodised salt daily.
Health talks regarding adequate and optimal use of Iodized salt were imparted in
Gynecology and Pediatric OPDs of GMSH-16, Chandigarh and samples for urine test for urinary
Iodine excretion in pregnant women were collected.
In past three weeks, Salt Testing to check the level of iodization of salt was demonstrated
in the Health & Wellness Centres under U.T., Health Department, Chandigarh.
In different Govt. schools of Chandigarh lectures were imparted in the schools by RBSK
doctors. Salt samples and urine samples were collected and tested in State IDD lab. Various
competition were organised by NIDDCP cell. In different govt school of UT Chandigarh. An
interactive quiz competition was organised where by students of four different govt schools
participated enthusiastically. Prizes and cerficates to the winners were awarded on the occasion.