Marta Taida García Ascaso1, Purificación Ros Pérez2, Esmeralda Colino Alcol2, Agustín López López2, Carmen de Lucas Collantes2, Isabel Millán Santos3, Elise Tessier4, Susana Ares Segura5. 1. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: martagarciaascaso@gmail.com. 2. Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. 3. Servicio de Estadística, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. 4. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. 5. Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Iodine deficiency inhibits the normal development of human beings and is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. Our study aims to update the urinary iodine concentrations and the intake of iodized salt in children in Madrid (Spain). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed where 217 children aged 3-14 years old were studied. A nutritional survey including the intake of iodized salt and other iodine-rich foods was performed. In addition, the urinary concentration of iodine was determined in each patient. RESULTS: Near 60% of the surveyed households routinely used iodized salt. Significant differences in age, sex, country of birth, or country of birth and parents educational levels and iodized salt consumption were not found. The median of the urinary iodine level (120 μg/L; interquartile range 80-184) was significantly higher in boys than girls and more elevated in younger children. Iodized salt and milk consumption significantly increased the concentration of urinary iodine. Children who drank less than two glasses of milk per day and did not consume iodized salt have four times the risk of iodine deficiency compared to children who daily drank at least two glasses of milk and consumed iodized salt (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional level of iodine in the children studied is appropriate despite the low consumption of iodized salt. This is due to the consumption of dairy products and milk. The younger the child, the better his/her iodine nutritional level. Teenagers studied are at higher risk of iodine deficiency.
BACKGROUND & AIMS:Iodine deficiency inhibits the normal development of human beings and is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. Our study aims to update the urinary iodine concentrations and the intake of iodized salt in children in Madrid (Spain). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed where 217 children aged 3-14 years old were studied. A nutritional survey including the intake of iodized salt and other iodine-rich foods was performed. In addition, the urinary concentration of iodine was determined in each patient. RESULTS: Near 60% of the surveyed households routinely used iodized salt. Significant differences in age, sex, country of birth, or country of birth and parents educational levels and iodized salt consumption were not found. The median of the urinary iodine level (120 μg/L; interquartile range 80-184) was significantly higher in boys than girls and more elevated in younger children. Iodized salt and milk consumption significantly increased the concentration of urinary iodine. Children who drank less than two glasses of milk per day and did not consume iodized salt have four times the risk of iodine deficiency compared to children who daily drank at least two glasses of milk and consumed iodized salt (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional level of iodine in the children studied is appropriate despite the low consumption of iodized salt. This is due to the consumption of dairy products and milk. The younger the child, the better his/her iodine nutritional level. Teenagers studied are at higher risk of iodine deficiency.
Authors: Esther Cuadrado-Soto; África Peral-Suarez; Elena Rodríguez-Rodríguez; Aránzazu Aparicio; Pedro Andrés; Rosa M Ortega; Ana M López-Sobaler Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-12-27 Impact factor: 3.240