Urinary Iodine Excretion among Nepalese School Children in Terai Region

Indian J Pediatr. 2016 Jan;83(1):15-7. doi: 10.1007/s12098-015-1755-x. Epub 2015 May 8.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the current iodine status among school children in Terai region of Nepal.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 2012 among the school children aged 6-12y in three Terai districts (Siraha, Saptari and Jhapa) of eastern Nepal. A total of 1105 casual urine samples were collected from children of different schools of above districts. Urinary iodine excretion was estimated using ammonium persulphate digestion method.

Results: The median urinary iodine excretion in school children was 226.33μg/L (234.16μg/L, 229.25μg/L and 210.67μg/L in Siraha, Saptari and Jhapa districts respectively). About 12.7% (n = 140) children were found to be iodine deficient and 34.2% (n = 378) children had excessive iodine nutrition.

Conclusions: There was good improvement in iodine nutrition among children in Terai region, with a large part of population showing excessive iodine nutrition.

Keywords: Iodine deficiency; Nepal; School children; Terai; Urinary iodine excretion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Deficiency Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Deficiency Diseases* / etiology
  • Deficiency Diseases* / prevention & control
  • Deficiency Diseases* / urine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iodine* / deficiency
  • Iodine* / urine
  • Male
  • Nepal / epidemiology
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Status
  • School Health Services / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Iodine