Srinagar: Government Medical College Srinagar through its nodal department of Community Medicine (SPM) is conducting iodine deficiency disorders (goiter) survey among children in age group of 6-12 years, of school children in four districts of Kashmir including north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora, central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and south Kashmir’s Shopian.
“The teams from Community Medicine department of GMC Srinagar shall be visiting thirty clusters, each covering 90 boys and girls in pre puberty age groups, covering 2700 children per district,” GMC Srinagar said in a statement.
A total of 10800 children shall be enrolled in four districts in Kashmir. Every child enrolled in the study would be examined for any goitre that is enlargement of thyroid gland in the neck as per classification by World Health Organization (WHO).
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“In addition salt samples shall be taken from every fifth enrolled child while urine sample will be collected from every tenth enrolled child to estimate iodine content is salt and urine respectively.” the statement reads.
“Directorate of School Education, Kashmir has already given the permission for the survey while addressing all concerned chief education officers of respective districts for necessary cooperation and support.”
The medical institute said some population groups and strata are still found consuming rock salt which is devoid of iodine content thus making people vulnerable to iodine deficiency as water and soil are the main natural sources.
“Due to rains and snow, the iodine is lost in erosion of upper layers of soil. Further faulty cooking practices also cause loss of iodine in foods,” said Dr Muhammad Salim Khan Professor and HOD, Community Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar
Dr Salim is the principal investigator of the survey in four districts where it’s currently being carried out.
The survey is financed under National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (NIDDCP) and was delayed due to COVID pandemic which forced closure of schools for almost two years.
“Training of field staff has been given by senior faculty from Department of ENT, GMC Srinagar,” it said.
