The evaluation of urinary iodine among primary school children in Mahasarakham province

Abstract

The aimed of this study is urinary Iodine (UI) level assessment among 114 school
children age between 6‐12 year old at primary school grade 1‐6 in an area of iodine
deficiency risk in Mahasarakham Province. The colorimetric method (the
ammonium persulphate technique) was used to assay for urine iodine.The result
found that: most of subjects (69.3%) have UI level lower than 100 g/L, which
seemed to have inadequate iodine intake, whereas distribution among male and
female age 7‐9 year old was found mild adequate iodine intake as 40.7% and 70%
respectively. Nevertheless more interesting. The subjects, of age 10‐12 year old had
high UI level or risk of iodine‐induced hyperthyroidism. It indicated that the
students received higher level of iodine with their increasing ages, on the
otherhand, lower level of intake with their reducing ages, where the statistical
significant relationship between age and urine iodine level. (p<0.001) The
understanding of this study should be encouragement of proper Iodine
implementation project for all age group of iodine deficiency children and
nutritional problem both receiving under and over Iodine intake. This study
signified that mild iodine deficiency (low intake) is prevalent among younger
students and presents to excess iodine intake in a higher age group, consequently,
action to solve the problems are continuously and sustainably needed.