Iodine lack risk to children

A lack of iodine in the diets of New Zealand and Australian children is "an insult to our children's intelligence", says a leading paediatric specialist.

William Tarnow-Mordi, Professor of Neonatal Medicine at the Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney, told a child health conference in Queenstown that declining iodine levels were associated with big health risks.

Irreversible brain damage and mental retardation could result from iodine deficiency while in the womb and during the first few weeks after birth, Professor Tarnow-Mordi told the New Zealand Paediatric Society conference.

Iodine deficiency disorders during pregnancy could cause infertility, abortions, stillbirths, prematurity and mental retardation in infants, he said.

"The lack of iodine not only impairs their mental growth but also physical development."

Over the past 10 to 15 years the iodine intake in the New Zealand population had dropped, he said.

Reduced use of salt in cooking and at the table, particularly iodised salt, was a big factor.

"Trendy table salts, like rock salt and sea salts, have taken over and people have stopped buying and using iodised salt, which was a great source of iodine."

Most salt in processed food was also un-iodised, he said.

Milk was once another source of iodine. Until the 1980s, farmers and dairy companies used iodophor disinfectants, which contained iodine, to clean milking equipment and milk storage vats, he said.

"This meant there were traces of iodine in the milk, which was great for growing children. But, unfortunately, processing techniques changed."

The low concentration of soil iodines in New Zealand heightened the problem, he said.

"Infants need iodine for the development of their nervous system and lungs. It is important for tissue development in the body, for cell differentiation."

Last year an Otago University study of 300 school children aged 8 to 10 at 30 Wellington and Dunedin schools, showed more than half were iodine-deficient.

Professor Tarnow-Mordi said iodine deficiency was the world's greatest single cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation.

A study was under way to assess iodine levels in mothers and babies throughout Australia.

Although evidence about iodine deficiency was still incomplete in New Zealand, babies and pregnant mothers should be routinely checked for iodine levels.

"This is a re-emerging problem that must be dealt with for the sake of our children."

Iodine deficiency

* Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) affects m than 740 million people, or 13 per cent of the world's population; 30 per cent of the remainder are at risk.

* IDD poses serious public-health problems in 130 developing countries.

* Iodine-deficient people may forfeit 15 IQ points.

* Nearly 50 million people suffer from some degree of IDD-related brain damage.

Source: World Health Organisation

- NZPA