IODINE DEFICIENCY AMONGST PREGNANT MOTHERS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

INTRODUCTION:  Iodine is an essential micronutrient. It is essential for production of thyroid hormones. Pregnant Mothers (PMs) deficient in iodine provides less iodine to the fetal thyroid.  The low production of thyroid hormones by fetal thyroid leads to compromised mental and physical development of the fetus. Uttarakhand state is a known endemic area for iodine deficiency. Objective: The present study was conducted with an objective to assess the current status of iodine nutrition amongst PMs in Uttarakhand State. 

METHODS:  Three districts (Pauri (P), Nainital (N) and Udham Singh Nagar (USN)) one from each region of Uttarakhand was selected. In each districts, thirty clusters were selected by utilising the Population Proportionate to Size (PPS) cluster sampling methodology. A total of 1727 PMs from Pauri (481), Nainital (614) and Udham Singh Nagar (632) were included. The clinical examination of the thyroid of each PM was conducted. Urine and salt samples were collected randomly from the sub samples of PMs enlisted for thyroid clinical examination. The Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) levels were analysed using the wet digestion method and the iodine content of the salt samples was analysed by standard Iodometric Titration method.

RESULTS:  The Total Goiter Rate (TGR) was found to be 24.9% (P), 20.2% (N) and 16.1% (USN). The median UIC levels were found to be 110µg/L (P), 117.5µg/L (N) and 124µg/L (USN). The percentage of PMs consuming salt with iodine content of 15ppm and more was found to be 57.9% (P), 67.0% (N) and 50.3% (USN). 

CONCLUSIONS:  

The findings of the present study revealed that the PMs in all the three districts were iodine deficient as revealed by UIC levels of less than 150µg/L.