What are Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD)?
Answer Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) form a spectrum of abnormalities which affect every stage of life. The following table summarises IDD: The Spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders Stage in life Effects Fetus Abortions Still births Congenital Anomalies Increased Perinatal Mortality Increased Infant Mortality Neurological Cretinism: – mental deficiency – deaf-mutism – spastic diplegia – squint Myxedematous cretinism: – mental deficiency – dwarfism Psychomotor defects Neonate Neonatal goitre Neonatal hypothyroidism Child and Goitre Juvenile hypothyroidism Adolescent Impaired mental function Retarded physical development Adult Goitre with its complications Hypothyroidism Impaired mental function Reference: Tiwari BK, Ray I, Malhotra RL. Policy Guidelines on National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme. Nutrition and IDD Cell. Directorate of Health Services. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, 1998 pp-8.
