IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDER; A PROTRACTED SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM

Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. It is an essential part of our diet because the body does not produce iodine.
If there is no enough iodine in the body, there will not be enough thyroid hormone, which in turn leads to iodine deficiency. This can lead to enlargement of the thyroid (goitre), hypothyroidism and even mental retardation in infants and children.
Iodine deficiency is a serious health problem in both developed and developing countries, which negatively affects communities as whole, especially pregnant women and young children. It is a threat to the socio-economic development of countries. The most devastating outcomes of iodine deficiency are increased perinatal mortality and mental retardation. A significant degree of neurological development usually takes place within weeks of conception especially during the first month if fetal growth. So, it is important that women have adequate iodine stores during first trimester of pregnancy.
Worldwide, this deficiency disorder affects about 2 billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities. At lease, 350 million Africans are even at risk of iodine deficiency of which goiter affects 28.3% of the African population. Even in Nigeria, 48% of its citizens are suffering from iodine deficiency disorder of which 15% leads to death. Infact, in Nigeria alone, there are about there are about a hundred thousand cases of iodine deficiency disorder per year.
The question is, how can this iodine deficiency disorder be prevented? What is a way forward?
Surprisingly enough, the solution to iodine deficiency disorder is relatively simple and inexpensive compared to other prevalent diseases. Salt iodization is considered the most effective long-term health intervention for achieving optimal iodine nutrition. According to World Health Organization (WHO), iodized salt costs a little per person per year to prevent iodine deficiency disorder. A teaspoon of iodine is all a person requires in a lifetime, but it must be provided regularly in tiny amounts to prevent this deficiency disorder.
Since even mild deficiency of iodine during pregnancy can have effects on delivery and on the developing baby, all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should regularly take iodized salts or take multivitamins containing at least 150ug iodine per day.
But, some individuals don't even know what iodized salt is. So the question is, what's iodized salt?
Iodized salt is a table salt mixed with a minute amount of iodine. Iodine is found in most packaged salts.
Salt is been supplemented with iodine due to the fact that salt is widely consumed and is very inexpensive.
Moreover, the surprising fact is that some individuals who make use of packaged iodized salts are still prone to iodine deficiency disorder. This is as a result of the way these iodized salts are stored. Iodized salt that is improperly stored and kept under high humidity conditions attracts moisture, becoming wet and in turn, reducing iodine content of the salts. Exposing these iodized salts bring about iodine loss.
Hence, iodized salts should not be exposed to rain, excessive humidity or direct sunlight. Also, they should be stored in a closed packaging materials and kept in rooms with adequate ventilation.
In the 21st century that we now are, eradication and prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) would mean improved educability of children, greater productivity and better quality of life for all. It is a major impediment to human development.
It is essential that everyone living either in rural/urban areas should be enlightened on the importance of consuming iodized salts. Awareness campaigns and education should be intensified and sustained in order to ensure that the people are fully enlightened.
Despite the fact that Iodine Deficiency Disorder is a serious wide spread health problem, it can be eradicated if appropriate steps are taken.

REFERENCES
* American Thyroid Association (2007).
* Dr. Lawrence W. (2006): "Iodine, a critical nutrient".
* The Lancet 372 (2008): "Iodine deficiency -way to go yet".
* WHO (2010): "Iodine status worldwide; WHO Global database on Iodine Deficiency"