Urinary Iodine Concentration among Primary School Children in the Mewat Area of Haryana

Iodine is one of the essential micronutrients required for the normal mental and physical well being of human beings. Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) has been considered as major public health problem in India including Mewat. The present goiter survey was done in Mewat district with the objective to determine the median urinary iodine concentration in a sample of children, to assess the level of iodine in salt samples at the household levels. A total of 210 urine samples were collected and tested for urinary iodine excretion. A total of 150 salt samples were tested. These samples were tested on the spot with an MIB kit. Median iodine concentration of the study population was more than 100 μg/L in 83.33% of children. Thus, a mild deficiency was found in 11.43% of the children, moderate in 4.29%, and severe in 0.95% of the children. Majority (86%) of salt samples were adequately iodized, i.e., having >15 ppm, while 14% were non-iodized.