Abstract

Background: The northern Himalayan section of Pakistan has a historical significance of iodine deficiency. The capital territory of Islamabad is in a plateau of these mountains which may be iodine deficient despite the rest of the country has improved to the optimal status of iodine in schoolchildren. We conducted this study to evaluate the iodine status in schoolchildren of Islamabad and adjacent areas by measuring urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) and thyroid volumes.
Methods: Schoolchildren of the age group from 9 to 12 years (n = 264) belonging to both the rural and urban areas of the region were included in this study. UIC was measured in urine samples by Sandell-Kolthoff kinetic method, and the thyroid volumes were determined by ultrasonography. A dietary history in iodine intake was recorded, and the samples of the household salt from 51 houses were also assessed for iodine content.
Results: The median of UIC was below the standard values in both boys and girls. The 97th and 50th percentiles of thyroid volumes of our population at various points of age and body surface area were significantly higher than the reference values. Dietary intake of iodine-rich food was not sufficient, and the iodine content in table salt was lower than the required value.
Conclusions: This study revealed that schoolchildren in the capital territory of Islamabad are iodine deficient. The iodine status in this region is consistent with other northern areas of Pakistan.

Key words: Urinary iodine, iodine deficiency, thyroid volume, iodized salt, schoolchildren, Islamabad