Results of the national biomonitoring program show persistent iodine deficiency in Israel.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adequate iodine intake is essential for human health, for normal thyroid function, and for attainment of full intellectual potential in children. In light of Israel's lack of a mandatory salt fortification policy, heavy reliance on desalination and low iodine intake from dairy products and seafood, there is concern in Israel that the population is iodine deficient. Indeed, the first Israeli National Iodine Survey in 2016 found a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of 83 µg/L among school age children, falling below the WHO's adequacy range of 100-299 µg/L for children.

Methods

In the framework of the National Human Biomonitoring Program in Israel, spot urine samples and questionnaire data were collected from 166 healthy children aged 4-12 years in 2020-2021.

SUBMITTER: Barnett-Itzhaki Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8960077 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature