title: Elimination of iodine deficiency disorders--current status in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Towards sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the existing programme needs to be monitored through recommended methods and indicators. Thus, we conducted the study to assess the current status of IDD in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a community based cross-sectional study; undertaken from October 2006-April 2007. 2400 school children, aged 8-10 years were selected by '30 cluster' sampling technique. Indicators recommended by the WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD were used. Subjects were clinically examined by standard palpation technique for goitre, urinary iodine excretion was estimated by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total goitre rate (TGR) was 19.7% (95% CI = 18.1-21.3 %) with grade I and grade II (visible goitre) being 16.7% and 3% respectively. Goitre prevalence did not differ by age but significant difference was observed in respect of sex. Median urinary iodine excretion level was 11.5 mcg/dL and none had value less than 5 mcg/dL. Only 50.4% of the salt samples tested were adequately iodised (> or = 15 ppm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The district is in a phase of transition from iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency as evident from the high goitre prevalence (19.7%) and median urinary iodine excretion (11.5 mcg/dL) within optimum limit. But, salt iodisation level far below the recommended goal highlights the need for intensified efforts towards successful transition.
authors.affiliation: B. S. Medical College, Bankura.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitra
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine