Iodine deficiency disorders: a public health challenge in developing countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutritional Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Iodine is a vital trace element crucial for human growth and development.
• Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), including goiter and hypothyroidism, pose significant risks to public health, especially impacting manpower development in developing regions.
• Malaysia faces persistent challenges with mild to moderate IDD, with prevalence varying dramatically between urban and rural populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and impact of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Malaysia.
• To investigate the relationship between low urinary iodine excretion and environmental iodine content.
• To inform public health strategies for the eradication of IDD.

Main Methods:

• Prevalence assessment of IDD across different regions in Malaysia.
• Measurement of urinary iodine excretion levels in the population.
• Analysis of environmental iodine content, including water and salt.

Main Results:

• IDD prevalence in Malaysia ranges from negligible in urban centers to over 90% in certain rural areas, notably Sabah and Sarawak.
• Low urinary iodine excretion indicates widespread poor iodine intake among the Malaysian population.
• Environmental factors, including low iodine content in local resources, contribute to the observed deficiencies.

Conclusions:

• Iodine deficiency remains a public health concern in Malaysia, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Targeted interventions, such as water and salt iodination, are essential for eradicating IDD.
• Successful implementation of iodination strategies is critical for improving public health and supporting national development goals.