ABSTRACT
Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute the single largest cause of preventable brain damage worldwide leading to learning disabilities and psychomotor impairment. Nearly 266 million school children worldwide have insufficient iodine intake. IDD was found to be a public health problem in 47 countries. Since the information on current prevalence of goiter in Kolar was not available, the present study was undertaken.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children aged 6-12 years in Kolar taluk. A total of 650 children (325 urban and 325 rural) were selected for goiter examination by multistage random cluster sampling technique. A total of 150 children were tested for the median urinary concentration and 150 salt samples were tested from the households of the study population.Results: The total goiter rate was 6.6% among primary school children aged 6-12 years with a significant difference between ages. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased. The median urinary iodine excretion level was found to be 137 µg/l and 92.7% salt samples had >15 ppm iodine content.Conclusions: Present study shows mild goiter prevalence in primary school children in Kolar and an adequate iodine content of salt and urine.
ABSTRACT
Fluoride in cellular respiratory processes and its association in free radical generation are extensively studied. Cell permeability generates the oxidative stress through free radical species entry that sequentially affects the cellular biomolecules and cause toxic effects. Present study intended to determine the trend of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the fluoride affected area that may raise the need for supplementation of antioxidants. Oxidative stress denoted in terms of ischemia modified albumin and antioxidants by vitamin C & total antioxidant capacity. Methods: Sixty subjects were divided into two groups. Group I (control) from fluoride unaffected areas (n=30) and group II subjects from fluoride affected area (n=30). Serum was assayed for Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA), plasma for Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and vitamin C. Results: The mean ± SD of IMA, TAC, and vitamin C of individuals subjected in fluoride affected areas are 2.403 ± 0.543, 210 mmol/l ± 82.2 and 0.62 mg/dl ± 0.23 respectively. The values were compared to individuals from fluoride unaffected areas have IMA (1.054 ABSU ± 0.851), TAC (312 mmol/l ± 62.1) and vitamin C (0.93 mg/dl ± 0.14) with P <0.001. Conclusion: The present study revealed that, individuals subjected to fluoride affected areas have more oxidative stress and decreased levels of antioxidant status indicates the risk of generation of free radicals intensity as a chief component of oxidative stress. This research outcome necessitates dietary supplementation of nutrient antioxidants to minimize the consequences of oxidative damage to vital biomolecules in fluoridated affected areas.