Etiological factors for the persistence of endemic goiter in selected areas of Siddharthnagar district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

TLDR: Consumption of inadequately iodized salt and cyanogenic plant foods containing goitrogenic/anti-thyroidal substances by the people of the studied region are possible reasons for the persistence of goiter during the post salt iodination phase.

Abstract: AIM To assess the prevalence of goiter, state of iodine nutrition of the population, consumption pattern of common goitrogenic food, and distribution of iodine through edible salt in selected CD Blocks of Siddharthnagar district in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. METHODS Goiter survey among 1,862 school children, aged 6-12 years, of both sexes, and analysis of iodine (I) and thiocyanate (SCN) in 240 urine samples, and iodine content in 210 edible salt samples collected from the selected study areas. RESULTS The prevalence of goiter was 26.3% (grade 1: 23.2%; grade 2: 3.1%). Median urinary iodine level was 6.0 microg/dl, and 42% had concentration 15 ppm; 82.9% had < 15 ppm. CONCLUSION Consumption of inadequately iodized salt and cyanogenic plant foods containing goitrogenic/anti-thyroidal substances by the people of the studied region are possible reasons for the persistence of goiter during the post salt iodination phase.