Iodine nutrition status in schoolchildren of Dhaka city in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to observe iodine nutrition status (urinary iodine [UI] and total goiter rate [TGR]) of schoolgoing children with the age of 6–12 years in Dhaka city. Materials and Methods: This study comprised 530 schoolchildren of 6–12 years of Dhaka city of Bangladesh selected by multistage random sampling. Goiter classified according to the WHO/ICCIDD/UNICEF, and UI was assessed. UI was estimated using wet digestion method. Results: Iodine nutrition status revealed 83.2% children as deficient, which was relatively more in 6–8 years group (89.5%), followed by 9–10 years (80.6%) and 11–12 years (77.2%), (P = 0.008). Out of 530 children, 55.7% had no goiter (295/530), whereas 20.2% (107/530) had Grade I and 24.2% (128/530) had Grade II goiter. There was no statistical difference for iodine sufficiency/deficiency between the children with or without goiter (χ2 = 0.129, P = 0.719). Highest mean (± standard error of mean [SEM]) and median UI was found in low socioeconomic class (81.48 ± 7.84 and 78.85 μg/L, respectively), followed by average (75.12 ± 6.31 and 65.11 μg/L, respectively) and high socioeconomic status (47.81 ± 2.68 and 34.82 μg/L, respectively) (P < 0.001). UI values were comparably higher in children whose parents were aware of iodized salt intake than those who were not (aware vs. unaware: mean [±SEM], 71.52 ± 8.90 vs. 57.20 ± 2.79, P= 0.116; median 51.43 vs. 38.72). Conclusions: Iodine nutrition status of children in Dhaka city of Bangladesh was found to be insufficient as yet. TGR is still much higher though not solely related to iodine nutrition status. Continuous surveillance over the matter is very much needed for a satisfactory iodine nutrition status.