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Iodine nutrition status amongst neonates in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh
Umesh Kapil1, Madhulika Kabra2, Neha Sareen1
1Department of Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
Insights
Iodine deficiency (ID) remains a significant health issue in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Neonatal screening revealed high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, indicating widespread iodine deficiency in the region.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Iodine deficiency (ID) is endemic in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, leading to severe developmental issues like mental retardation and neurological defects.
- Neonatal screening via thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels is a key indicator of iodine nutrition status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the iodine nutrition status among neonates in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
- To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency in the studied neonatal population.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted across three selected hospitals in Kangra district providing obstetric services.
- Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from 613 neonates and analyzed for TSH levels.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed, with 73.4% of neonates exhibiting TSH levels above 5 mIU/L.
- This finding contrasts with WHO guidelines suggesting <3% TSH concentration indicates iodine sufficiency.
Conclusions:
- Iodine deficiency persists as a critical public health problem in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
- Urgent public health interventions are necessary to address the widespread iodine deficiency in the region.
Abstract:
Iodine deficiency (ID) is an endemic health problem in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (HP) state. ID leads to mental retardation, deaf mutism, squint, dwarfism, spastic diplegia, neurological defects and congenital anomalies. Iodine nutrition status amongst neonates can be assessed by estimating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The present study was conducted with an objective to assess the iodine nutrition status amongst Neonates in Kangra district, HP. All of the hospitals in the district which provide obstetric services were enlisted, of which three were selected for this survey. A total of 613 umbilical cord blood samples of neonates were collected on filter paper and analyzed for TSH. WHO (2007) reported that that a <3% frequency of TSH concentrations above 5 mIU/L in samples collected 3-4 days after birth indicates iodine sufficiency in a population. In our study we found that 73.4% of the neonates had TSH levels of more than 5 mlU/l, thus indicating ID in the population studied. Iodine deficiency continues to be a public health problem in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
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