Status of Iodine Nutriture and Salt Iodization in Union Territory of Pondicherry, India

Abstract: Deficiency of iodine causes a wide spectrum of disabilities including the implications on reproductive functions and lowering of IQ levels in school age children. The present study was conducted to assess the status of iodine nutriture and salt iodization in the entire Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. The study was conducted in all the four districts of Pondicherry. In each district 150 salt samples were collected by utilizing the uniform sampling methodology. The iodine content of salt samples was analyzed using the standard iodometric titration method. On the spot casual urine samples were collected from at least 80 children from the same school selected randomly The urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels were analyzed using the wet digestion method It was observed that 59.7 % of the families were consuming iodized salt with more than 5 ppm. It was found that 3 out of 4 districts had adequate iodine nutriture (median UIE levels more than 100 Fg/l) possibly due to consumption of iodized salt by majority of the population. This study revealed the success of the salt iodization program in Pondicherry. However, there is a need for strengthening the existing monitoring and distribution system to ensure that adequately iodized salt is available for human consumption to eliminate IDD from the state. Key Words: Iodine deficiency disorders, goitre, urinary iodine excretion levels, iodized sal