Health Implications Of Iodine: The Link Between Iodine Deficiency And Mental Retardation

Introduction

Iodine is an essential component for normal body functioning. It is responsible for the normal conversion of food nutrients into energy through metabolism (Bogale et al, 2009). In addition, iodine is required for the proper functioning of the various processes that take place in the thyroid glands such as the production of thyroid hormones (Amarra et al, 2007). Lack of enough iodine in the body may result to disorders such as goitre and mental retardation among children and adolescents (Zimmerman, 2006). This report critically evaluates three works, [Bogale et al (2009), Amarra et al (2007) and Zimmerman et al (2006)] that links low iodine intakes with mental retardation among children and adolescents aged 5-18 years.

Low Iodine Intake and Mental Retardation

The three articles present a comprehensive account on how mental retardation manifests among young children deprived of sufficient iodine in their bodies. They agree that mental retardation is a pre-adulthood disorder that manifests in a number of ways including low intelligent quotient – below 70 percent. In addition, the authors agree that mental retardation can be cured through repletion of iodine assuming that all other factors are addressed too.

The three articles however, employ different scenarios, different subjects from different locations, and different methodologies but arrive at similar findings. Amarra et al (2007), for instance, uses a sample of 290 primary school children aged between 6 and 10 years in Manila, Philippines to test the link between the level of iodine and mental capabilities. The authors find that the adequate intake of iodine accompanied by other major nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins has a positive impact on the mental performance of school going children.

On the other hand, Zimmerman et al (2006) uses 10 to 12 years old children in rural elementary schools in Albania to test whether providing iodine-laden supplements among iodine deficient children can improve cognitive performance. The study finds that cognitive skills such as information processing and problem solving improve with addition of iodine among iodine deficient children.

On their part, Bogale et al (2009) conducts a cross-sectional study to investigate the iodine status and cognitive level of adolescent women and children of five years living in a rural setup in Ethiopia. They study finds that iodine status has a direct bearing on the cognitive status of young children – children that are fed on iodine-laden food are likely to outperform their iodine-deficient counterparts in terms of information processing and problem solving.

Though these studies were carried out in completely different places, they have got one thing in common – they are all based in rural locations with minimal access to marine foods. This gives credibility to the findings made thereof as it narrows down other factors affecting cognitive skills. Arguably, these are not the only studies linking iodine deficiency to mental retardation, however, they qualifies as credible sources since they base their findings from existing literature but fathers first-hand data which they use to make sweeping conclusions.

Conclusion

Iodine deficiency leads to mental retardation among young children. The analysed articles present evidence gathered from different parts of the world showing that school going children are at risk of suffering from mental retardation if they are not fed on adequate amounts of iodine when growing up.

References List

Amarra MS, Bongga DC, Peñano-Ho L, Cruz FB, Solis JS, Barrios EB. Effect of iodine status and other nutritional factors on psychomotor and cognitive performance of Filipino schoolchildren. Food Nutr Bull. 2007 Mar; 28(1):47-54.

Bogale A, Abebe Y, Stoecker BJ, Abuye C, Ketema K, Hambidge KM. Iodine status and cognitive function of women and their five year-old children in rural Sidama, southern Ethiopia. East Afr J Public Health. 2009 Dec; 6(3): 296-9.

Zimmermann MB, Connolly K, Bozo M, Bridson J, Rohner F, Grimci L. Iodine supplementation improves cognition in iodine-deficient schoolchildren in Albania: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jan; 83(1):108-14.