Iodine Deficiency Status Amongst School Children in Pauri, Uttarakhand.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the iodine deficiency status amongst school age children in district Pauri, Uttarakhand. Methods: 2067 children (age of 6-12 years) were included. Clinical examination of thyroid gland of each child was conducted. On-the-spot urine and salt samples were collected from children. Results: Total Goitre Rate was found to be 16.8% and median Urinary Iodine Concentration level was 115 μg/L. Only 40.4% of salt samples had e 15 ppm of iodine. Conclusion: There is a mild degree of iodine deficiency in school age children in district Pauri. There is a need of strengthening the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program.