title: Low Urinary Iodine Concentration among Mothers and Children in Cambodia.
abstract: A 2014 national assessment of salt iodization coverage in Cambodia found that 62% of samples were non-iodized, suggesting a significant decline in daily iodine intakes. The Cambodian Micronutrient Survey conducted in 2014 (CMNS-2014) permitted obtaining national data on urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) to assess iodine status and whether iodized salt use had an impact. Urine samples were collected from mothers (n = 736) and children (n = 950). The median UIC was 63 µg/L and 72 µg/L in mothers and children respectively. More than 60% of mothers and their children had a UIC < 100 µg/L, thereby indicating a serious public health problem. Iodine status was significantly lower among mothers and children living in rural areas, belonging to the poorest socioeconomic category, or living in a household not using iodized salt. The limited enforcement of the legislation for iodized salt has resulted in a major decrease in the prevalence of iodized salt, which in turn has compromised iodine status in Cambodia. It is essential for the government to enhance enforcement of the iodized salt legislation, and implement short term strategies, such as iodine supplementation, to prevent an increase of severe complications due to iodine deficiency in the Cambodian population.
authors.affiliation: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition section, no11 street 75, Phnom Penh 12202, Cambodia. alaillou@unicef.org.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laillou
authors.affiliation: National Nutrition Program, Maternal and Child Health Center, No 31A, Rue de France (St. 47), Phnom Penh 12202, Cambodia. sophonprak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Prak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sophonneary
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ), Fisheries Administration, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, 186 Preah Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia. kuong.kh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Khov
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuong
authors.affiliation: ICF International, 530 Gaither Road, Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. rathavuth.hong@icfi.com.
authors.forename: Rathavuth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition section, no11 street 75, Phnom Penh 12202, Cambodia. sun@unicef.org.
authors.forename: Samoeurn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Un
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ), Fisheries Administration, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, 186 Preah Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia. chhounchamnan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chhoun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chamnan
authors.affiliation: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition section, no11 street 75, Phnom Penh 12202, Cambodia. epoirot@unicef.org.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poirot
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research for Development (IRD), UMR Nutripass IRD-UM2-UM1, Montpellier 3400, France. jacques.berger@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research for Development (IRD), UMR Nutripass IRD-UM2-UM1, Montpellier 3400, France. franck.wieringa@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wieringa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine
keywords: 2014; Cambodia; Demographic Health Survey; Iodine; national survey