Page 4 of 5
Special Features of ProgrammeThe role of micronutrients is increasingly getting appreciated. Iodine is one of the important micronutrient. It is required to the extent of 150 microgram per day.
Iodine requirement
0–5 yrs: 10 Micrograms
6–12 yrs: 120 Micrograms
above 12 yrs: 150 Micrograms
pregnancy: 200 Micrograms
Normally, to the source of iodine is the plants Vegetables, animal products.
About 4 lack tones of Iodine is evaporated from Sea and by rains it is available in upper layer of soil.
The plants absorb iodine from the soil. But due to industrialization, tree felling etc, there is erosion of soil. Due to erosion the upper layer of sail is lost and so, also the iodine content is lowered.
Due to deficiency of Iodine there is wide spectrum Disorders called Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
Spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders
| Fetus | Abortions | |
| Stillbirths | ||
| Congenital Anomalies | ||
| Increased Prenatal Mortality | ||
| Neurological Cretinism | Mental deficiency | |
| Deaf–mutism | ||
| Spastic diplegia | ||
| Squnit | ||
| Myxedematous cretinism | dwarfism | |
| Mental Deficiency | ||
| Psychomotor defects | ||
| Neonate | Neonatal goiter | |
| Neonatal hypothyroidism | ||
| Child and Adolescent | Goiter | |
| Juvenile hypothyroidism | ||
| Impaired mental function | ||
| Retarded physical developement | ||
| Adult | Goiter with this complications | |
| Hypothyroidism | ||
| Impaired mental function | ||
Due to loss of IQ by 10–15 points and decrease in the activity of all members of society due to deficiency of iodine results in adverse effect on economy. The IDD is a problem of all the states in the country. Sample survey conducted in 28 states and 6 UT has revealed that IDD endemic 254 district out 0f 312 districts.
So, this major public Health problem needs to addressed urgently by adopting various strategies like universal consumption of iodized salt, increased awareness at all levels, Surveillance etc.
Achievements of National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control
Due to sustained support of GOI, UNICEF the iodized salt production has increased from 2 lacks tones in 1984 to 40 lacks tonnes currently. Initially only Government was the sole manufacturer of iodized salt. But with efforts of UNICEF & GOI, the private sector has taken a lead in this area.
The quality of iodized salt is also monitored and following table shows the betterment in this aspect.
| Sr.No. | Year | Total Samples | Sub–standred | Percentage |
| 1 | 2002–03 | 5394 | 1632 | 40.64 |
| 2 | 2003–04 | 4423 | 1476 | 36.26 |
| 3 | 2004–05 | 7319 | 2221 | 32.51 |
| 4 | 2005–06 | 13774 | 2247 | 24.00 |
| 5 | 2006–07 | 20172 | 3405 | 17.00 |
Urinary Iodine is good objective indicator of status of iodine. Till to 2003 only 2 laboratories were with the facility of estimation of Urinary iodine. But now this facility is available at 4 divisional place Aurangabad, Nashik Nagpur, Pune. Results of the investigations as follows:
This issue was discussed in state level meeting of Civil Surgeon, District Health Office, Dy. Director of Health Services. Every district level officer was given a CD about IDD.
At DGHS level meeting were held for sectoral co–ordination of FDA, Food & Civil Supplies, Women & Child health department, UNICEF, Dy. Salt commissioner etc.
Survey of the cases of Goiter is conducted in about five districts every year. The health worker visits houses and notes the cases of goiter. Cluster survey is uner taken in each taluka. One percent of the villages and 5% of school childern are surveyed.
During 2006–07 the state has proposed 23 districts goiter endemic district and tribal district. Painting of Slogans on 1500 S. T. Buses inside front panels for Iodine Deficiency.
