Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 20 April 2021

RO9 IDD According to the World Health Organization, Iodine Deficiency is the world’s most prevalent, yet easily preventable, cause of brain damage. Expanded National Nutrition Survey 2019 of DOST-FNRI revealed that anemia is still a “mild” public health problem at 5.8% particularly among female adolescents (8.2%) and rural households (6.3%).

Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) refers to any condition attributable to iodine deficiency. It is due to a lack of iodine which is an essential element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is involved in the regulation of various enzymes, metabolic processes, and other important body functions. Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid, mental retardation, hypothyroidism, impaired cognitive development, and increased morbidity and mortality of infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency include goiter, hypothyroidism, and cognitive issues. Due to lack of iodine, the thyroid gland progressively enlarges as it tries to keep up with the demand for thyroid hormone production. This can cause bulging of the thyroid glands forming a visible lump (goiter) on the neck. Hypothyroidism causes symptoms that can include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, muscle weakness, elevated blood cholesterol levels, thinning, depression, or poor memory. In Infants, hypothyroidism can cause symptoms like a large tongue, puffy face, constipation, poor muscle tone, and extreme sleepiness. In children and teens, this can cause poor growth, delayed tooth development, delayed puberty, and poor mental development. Overall, IDD can result in various cognitive issues that include low IQ, trouble learning, and mental disabilities, especially among children.

Serious IDD in pregnancy can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and congenital abnormalities. Children of mothers who have iodine deficiency can also have intellectual disabilities and problems with growth, hearing, and speech. An underactive thyroid can also result in cretinism. Cretinism is characterized by permanent brain damage, deaf-mutism, spasticity, and short stature.

The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of our diet. Iodine is found in various foods. If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormones. Strategies in combating iodine deficiency in the Philippines include salt iodization, the use of iodized salt in processed foods, and iodization of drinking water. Republic Act No. 8172, also known as “An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide”, was enacted in 1995 to contribute to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition in the country through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. Iodine can be found naturally in some foods. Some examples of iodine-rich foods are fish such as cod and tuna, seaweed, shrimp, and other seafood, dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, and iodized salt. Thus, the National Nutrition Council promotes the use of iodized salt - the most practical, economical and accessible source of iodine as Kumainment No. 7 says, “Gumamit ng iodized salt”. Kaya mga mommy pati na sila daddy at baby...mag-iodine consumption everyday to boost your intellectual capacity!

-PNC-ZDN Rowence F. Zorilla

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