Health Consequences of Iodine Deficiency

Iodine Deficiency Disorders (100 ) are one of the biggest worldwide public health problem of today. Their effect is hidden and profoundly affec ts the quality of human life. Iodine deficiency occurs when the soil is poor in iodine, causing a low concentration in food products and insufficient iodine intake in the population . When iodine requirements are not met . the thyroid may no longer be able to synthesize sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. The resulting low-level of thyroid hormones in the blood is the principal factor responsible for th eseries of functional and developmental abnorma lities, collectively refe red to as 100. Iodine deficiency is a significant cause of mental developmental problems in children, including implications on reproductive functions and lowering of IQ levels in school-aged children. The consequence of iodine deficiency during pregnancy is impaired synthes is of thyroid hormones by the mother and the foetus. An insufficient supply of thyroid hormones to the developing bra in may result in mental retardation . Brain damage and irreversible mental retardation are the most important disorders induced by iodine deficiency. Daily consumption of salt fortified with iodine is a proven effective strategy for prevention of 100.