Background: In programs to control iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), sustainability is a major concern. IDD has recently recurred in countries where salt iodization programs have lapsed.
Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the evolution of thyroid dysfunction after the discontinuation of salt iodization in a cohort of children in an area of severe endemic goiter.
Design: Moroccan children (aged 6-16 y, n = 159) with severe IDD received iodized salt (IS) for 1 y. Because of practical and financial constraints, including a lack of infrastructure and electricity at the production site, salt iodization abruptly ceased. The children were followed for another 14 mo, and concentrations of urinary iodine, thyrotropin, total thyroxine, and thyroglobulin and thyroid volume were measured.
Results: Before iodization, median urinary iodine was 18 microg/L, 88% of children had elevated serum thyroglobulin concentrations, and 72% were goitrous. One year after the introduction of IS, median urinary iodine and thyroglobulin concentrations had normalized, mean thyroid volume had decreased by 34%, and median thyrotropin and mean total thyroxine concentrations were improved. Five months after the discontinuation of salt iodization, median urinary iodine had fallen to 20 microg/L. Fourteen months after the discontinuation of salt iodization, the rate of goiter was again similar to the rate before salt iodization; median thyrotropin and thyroglobulin concentrations were sharply higher than before the introduction of IS (P < 0.001); and the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 10%, compared with 3% before the introduction of IS (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: In IDD-affected areas, cessation of salt iodization is associated with a rapid deterioration of thyroid function in school-age children. These findings underline the importance of sustainability in IDD control and the vulnerability of children to even short-term lapses in IS programs.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/79.4.642 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
High water iodine levels are associated with the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and goiter among pregnant women in Shandong, China.
J Nutr
December 2024
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China; Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300070, China; Tianjin Environmental, Nutrition and Public Health Center, Tianjin, 300070, China. Electronic address:
Background: Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess can harm the thyroid glands during pregnancy. In areas without iodine fortification, the relationship between the water iodine concentration (WIC) and thyroid disease in pregnant women requires further investigation.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between water iodine levels and the prevalence of thyroid disease in pregnant women residing in areas with high water iodine levels without access to iodized salt.
Iodine Deficiency Hypothyroidism Among Children in the United States - 21st Century Resurgence?
AACE Clin Case Rep
August 2024
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Background/objective: Iodine deficiency hypothyroidism is an important cause of neurocognitive and motor impairment in children globally. In the United States, universal salt iodization, which began in the 1920s, led to a dramatic decline in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism. However, iodine deficiency may be reemerging due to increased consumption of noniodized salts, decreased dairy iodine concentrations, and decreased intake of iodine containing foods due to food allergies, dietary preferences such as vegan diets, or restrictive food intake disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of maternal antenatal nutrition and infection treatment interventions on Longitudinal Infant Development and Growth in rural Ethiopia: protocol of the LIDG child follow-up study.
BMJ Paediatr Open
December 2024
Department of Pediatrics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Introduction: Maternal undernutrition and inflammation in utero may significantly impact the neurodevelopmental potential of offspring. However, few studies have investigated the effects of pregnancy interventions on long-term child growth and development. This study will examine the effects of prenatal nutrition and infection management interventions on long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicronutrient Hunger or Hidden Hunger Among Infants and Young Children on Healthy Diets.
Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser
November 2024
Parkview Family Health Care Centre, Kundara, India.
"Hidden Hunger" refers to micronutrient deficiencies that are not necessarily reflected in anthropometric measurements and thus remain hidden. It affects 2 billion people globally, and occurs among infants and young children on a "healthy diet," as perceived by family members. Hidden hunger is recognizable with a high index of suspicion and hence the term "micronutrient hunger" has been proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPostwar nutritional status of lactating mothers: evidence from war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia.
J Health Popul Nutr
November 2024
School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Background: Poor maternal nutrition is a significant public health problem, especially in conflict-affected areas. Lactating mothers are particularly vulnerable due to increased nutritional demands. The recent conflict in the Tigray region has resulted in serious crises and disruptions, worsening maternal undernutrition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!