World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed annually on October 21st to raise awareness about iodine deficiency, which affects over 740 million people globally. Iodine is essential for human growth and development, but one-third of the world's population is at risk of iodine deficiency disorders due to insufficient iodine intake. Common effects include goiter, intellectual disabilities, hearing and speech problems. India has taken steps such as implementing a universal salt iodization program to address this issue and reduce iodine deficiency disorder rates.
2. Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Prevention Day or World
Iodine Deficiency Day is observed every year on 21st October.
The aim behind this day is to generate awareness of adequate use of
iodine and to highlight the consequences of iodine deficiency.
one-third of the world population is at the risk of iodine deficiency
disorders.
As per WHO, around 54 countries are still iodine deficient
In the world. It causes significant health problems in 130 countries and
affects 740 million people..
3. It is estimated that in India alone, more than 6.1 crore people are
suffering from endemic goiter and 88 lakh people from mental/ motor
handicaps.
A national level survey has been carried out in 25 states and 5 union
territories it was found that it is a major public health problem where
the prevalence rate is more than 10%.
Iodine deficiency remains a major global threat to health and
development because it is the most common cause of preventable
mental impairment worldwide.
4. Iodine is a micronutrient which is required for the human growth and
development.
Iodine is required for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine
(T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and essential for the normal growth and
development and well-being of all humans.
It is a micronutrient and normally required around 100-150 microgram
for normal growth and development.
5. Deficiency of iodine may cause following disorders:
Subnormal intelligence
Mental retardation
Defect in vision, hearing, and speech
Goiter
Hypothyroidism
Neuromuscular weakness
Spasticity,
Endemic cretinism
Still birth
Intrauterine death
6. The commonest source of iodine is salt. However, it can also be
found in other foods such as:
Milk
Eggs
Shellfish
Sea fish
Meat
Cereal Grains
7. The US Institute of Medicine’s (IOM’s) recommended dietary
allowance (RDA) of iodine is as follows:
Normal dietary iodine intake is 100-150 mcg/day.
Adults and adolescents - 150 mcg/day
Pregnant women - 220 mcg/day
Lactating women - 290 mcg/day
Children aged 1-11 years - 90-120 mcg/day
Infants - Adequate intake is 110-130 mcg/day
8. Following the successful trial of iodized salt in Kangra valley,
Himachal Pradesh in 1962, India has launched the centrally
sponsored National Goiter Control Programme.
In 1992, the National Goiter Control Programme (NGCP) was
renamed as National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control
Programme(NIDDCP).
9. A prospective study was organized in 1956 in Kangra valley of
Himachal Pradesh in India. (Sooch and Ramalingaswami, ).
The study region was divided into A,B and C zones.
After a baseline survey in 1956, the salt distributed to zones A and C
was fortified with potassium iodide and potassium iodate, respectively,
while zone B was supplied with unfortified salt.
The salt fortification was at a level that supplied approximately 200
microgram of iodine per person per day.
10. After six years of iodization, in 1962, a marked decrease in the
prevalence of goiter was observed in zone A (from 38% to 19%) and
zone C (38% to 15%) without any significant change in zone B.
Six years later, in 1968, a systematic survey of goiter prevalence
showed a further reduction in zones A and C (8.5% and 9.1%
respectively).
This project laid the foundation of National Goiter control project
which later on was changed to National Iodine deficiency disorder
control programme in India.
11. On the recommendations of Central Council of Health in 1984, the
Government took a policy decision with the goal of “Universal
Iodization of Salt” by 1992, starting the Salt department in the
Ministry of Industry.
Realising the importance of iodine deficiency in relation to Human
Resource Development, NIDDCP has been included in the 20 point
programme of Prime Minister.
The Central notification restricting the sale of non-iodated salt with
effect from May 1998.
The notification issued by 29 states/UTs covering their entire territory
and partially by 2 states restricting the sale of non-iodated salt in their
respective states are still continuing
