Iodine deficiency status in Sri Lanka ;Then and Now | ලංකාවේ අයඩින් ඌනතා තත්ත්වය; එදා සහ අද

Since the late 1940’s, many studies have recognized goitre as an endemic in Sri Lanka. A goitre belt was established in the Southwest region that extended over the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern Provinces and part of the Uva Province; consisting the wet zone of the country. Several preventative measures had been undertaken to overcome the goitre endemic. However in 1986, it was found the overall goitre prevalence amongst schoolchildren was 18.2%. In response to this and in line with the goals set by the world summit for children in 1990, the Sri Lankan government initiated the “Universal Salt Iodization” programme in 1995. There was also the implementation of the mandatory introduction of iodised salt and potassium iodate, under the Food Act where a minimum of 50ppm iodine at the factory level and 25ppm at the consumer level was made essential. Along with this, cyclic monitoring of the iodine content in drinking water was also initiated from 2001.

Based on previous studies of balance and excretion over a 24-hour period, it has been found that a safe intake between 50ug-100ug can be recommended as a requirement for ones daily intake. 

Past:

·The goiter prevalence in 1947 was found to be 43% in males and 28% in females

·Comparison of goitre rates :

·  1986 – 18.8% with goitre

·  2000 – 18.0% with goitre

·  2005 – 3.8% with goitre

·Cyclic monitoring of iodine content in drinking water since 2001 found:

·  <5.0 in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces

·  5.0-19.9 in Western and Southern Provinces

·  20.0-29.9 in South Western and Eastern provinces

·  30.0-50.0 in North Central Province

· >50.0 in Western Province

·Comparison of urinary iodine levels from 2000 shows:

·  2000 – 145.3ug

·  2005 – 154ug

·Distribution of iodine level in alt at the household level in 2005 was found to be 91.1%

Present (2010): 

·  Goitre rate in 2010 was found to be 4.4%

·  The median urinary iodine levels in 2010 had increased to 163.4ug/L from 2000

·  The median urinary iodine levels among pregnant women was 113ug/L

·  Iodine content of salt samples at the household level had a median of 21.2ppm

·  Only 68.2% were using adequately iodised salt, at the household level

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