Children under 2 years of age faced with iodine deficiency are at a 30% increased risk of mental retardation

The minister of public health states that children under 2 years of age faced with iodine deficiency are at a 30% increased risk of mental retardation.

Mr. Phinit Jarusombut (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ), the minister of public health, stated that the ministry of public health is campaigning against iodine deficiency in children, adding that children under 2 years of age face a 30% increased risk of mental retardation if lacking in iodine.

June 25 is therefore declared National Iodine Day by the government.

On the upcoming occasion of National Iodine Day Mr. Phinit has campaigned at the Hualampong Train station by handing out iodine reinforced salt to the public. Mr. Phinit said the public health ministry is placing great importance on sufficient levels of iodine given to children, adding that in the first three weeks of pregnancy, babies receiving sufficient iodine will show brain development of at least 80%.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 June 2006

Why would Thais suffer more of iodine deficiency than in western countries?

Why would Thais suffer more of iodine deficiency than in western countries?

Generally for two reasons. The first is that due to de-forestation, the levels of iodine found in the soil is significantly less than would be found in the west. Secondly, salt. Salt in the west nearly always comes with iodine added, in Thailand, the most common type of salt is not ideal for adding iodine, the type which is processed and iodine added costs more...

You can't give children salt! There must be another way to get the mineral into them.

Generally speaking there are only so many methods of getting the correct amount of iodine into someones daily diet where it is known that the soil is iodine deficient. Water and Salt are the most common although in some countries bread and dairy products are also fortified to increase the amounts of iodine.

In countries where there is a centralised drinking water supply it is not uncommon for the health authorities to add minute amounts of iodine to the drinking water, however in countries such as Thailand where the water is mixed between normal tap water, bottled water ,boiled water and underground water there is no way to ensure that people are getting the correct levels.

One of the important facts is that the level of iodine has to be maintained on a daily basis for good health.

Because the level of salt intake stays pretty much constant on a daily basis it is considered the ideal method.

You can't give children salt! There must be another way to get the mineral into them.

There is a major problem here.

Thais don't use salt, they use Fish Sauce, Nam Pla.

I would have thought that Nam Pla would have iodine...being from fish...are they not a source of iodine?

What other common sources exist? This is a matter of concern to me, as I have a young daughter.

Can you buy iodized salt here?

You can buy iodised salt and there is a brand of eggs - can't remember the name that are fortified with iodine. I always buy those for the girls, don't eat eggs myself .