Publication: Monitoring Iodine Deficiency in a District Hospital, Nepal
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Iodine deficiency possesses serious threat to pregnant women and infants. During
pregnancy, iodine deficiency can result in stillbirth while in infants it can lead to
impaired brain development.
Objective
This study was conducted to assess the status of iodine deficiency among pregnant
women and infants.
Method
Ninety seven pregnant women seeking antenatal check-up (ANC) from Chautara
Hospital Sindhupalchowk were included to analyze urine iodine. Thirty one mothers
and their children were followed-up for their clinical status. Additionally, the infants
were assessed for their urine iodine excretion and the mothers were assessed for
their awareness about iodine and iodine deficiency disorder (IDD).
Result
Urinary iodine excretion revealed 25.2% of pregnant women and 20% children below
one year of age had insufficient iodine intake while 42.9% of pregnant women and
24% children had iodine level above normal. Almost all households were found using
iodized salt, 80% respondents had heard about iodized salt, 13% mothers were
aware of benefits of iodized salt, 41.9% had knowledge of iodine deficiency diseases
and 38.4% cognized the source of iodine.
Conclusion
Though awareness about iodine and iodine deficiency disorder was satisfactory,
pregnant women and children were at risk of iodine deficiency and excessive
iodine disorder. Therefore, to improve health of pregnant women and newborn,
their nutrition must be prioritized which ultimately will help reduce morbidity and
mortality.
KEY WORDS
Infant, Iodine deficiency, Pregnant women, Urine iodine
Description
Singh VK,1 Joshi AB,1 Gurung CK,1 Pant KR,1 Banjara MR2
1Public Health and Infectious Disease Research Center (PHIDReC),
Kathmandu, Nepal.
2Central Department of Microbiology,
Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
Keywords
Infant, Iodine deficiency, Pregnant women, Urine iodine