Iodine deficiency disorders in Car Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

The term 'Iodine deficiency disorders' (IDDs) reflects the spectrum of health effects due to iodine deficiency at all ages. So far, no survey for IDD has been carried out in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N). Therefore, we aimed to determine the status of IDDs at Car Nicobar Island and to assess the iodine content of salt available for consumption on the island.

The study population comprised tribal school children between 7 and 18 years of age in government schools of Car Nicobar, A&N. Children were selected from each school by the simple random sampling method using the random number table. The same sampling method was used for each school till completion of the desired sample size for that school. Casual urine samples (in screw-capped plastic bottles for iodine estimation) and blood samples (on No. 3 Whatman filter paper for TSH estimation) were collected from a randomly selected sub-sample of students. Salt samples for iodine estimation were collected from 'captains' (village headman) of each village and the headmasters of the schools and 'canteens' in government retail outlets in the villages.

Of the 969 children surveyed, 160 (16.5%) had goitre. The prevalence was significantly more among females (23.6%) than males (9.7%). Analysis of 105 urine samples showed that the median urinary iodine excretion level was 7.0 micrograms/dl. The median TSH values in subjects was 5.7 mU/L. Fifty (82.5%) of the 54 salt samples had adequate iodine (> or = 15 parts per million).

IDDs pose a mild-to-moderate public health problem in Car Nicobar Island. The supply of iodized salt and its iodine content was found to be satisfactory at the time of the study.