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[Iodine intake in Portuguese school children]
Edward Limbert1, Susana Prazeres, Márcia São Pedro
1Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa de Francisco Gentil, Portugal.
Acta Medica Portuguesa
|August 14, 2012
Summary
Portuguese schoolchildren show borderline iodine intake, with nearly half having inadequate levels. While improved from previous decades, further public health measures like salt iodization may be needed to ensure sufficient iodine status.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis, crucial for cognitive development.
- Iodine deficiency can lead to cognitive impairments in offspring.
- Recent data on iodine intake in Portuguese schoolchildren is lacking.
Purpose:
- To evaluate iodine intake among Portuguese schoolchildren.
- To inform health authorities about potential interventions.
- To establish current iodine status in this population.
Summary:
- A study assessed iodine intake in 3680 Portuguese children aged 6-12 years using urine iodine (UI) levels.
- The median UI was 105.5 µg/L, with 47.1% of children below 100 µg/L.
- Factors like male gender, southern region, and school milk distribution were linked to higher iodine elimination.
Impact:
- Findings indicate a borderline to mildly insufficient iodine intake in Portuguese schoolchildren.
- Despite improvements over 30 years, nearly half exhibit inadequate iodine levels.
- Results support considering universal salt iodization for public health prophylaxis.
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