Iodine deficiency disease

Iodine deficiency disease is a general term for a group of related diseases caused by inadequate intake of iodine from embryo development to adulthood due to iodine deficiency in the natural environment. It includes endemic goiter, cretinism, endemic subclinical cretinism, simple deafness, miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and congenital malformations. The disease is widespread and the disease is endemic in about 110 countries around the world. An estimated 1.6 billion people are at risk from iodine deficiency globally. In addition to China ’s overseas provinces, cities, and autonomous regions, there are endemic areas of varying degrees. It is estimated that more than 700 million people live in iodine-deficient areas. Iodine is an essential trace element for the human body and an important element for the synthesis of thyroxine. The daily iodine requirement for adults is 100-150ug, and WHO recommends 140ug. The human body's iodine mainly comes from food, and a small amount comes from water and air. Although the human body only consumes 10% to 20% of the total intake of iodine from diet water, water iodine can reflect the environmental iodine content. Under food conditions, the water iodine content is often used to measure the local residents' intake. The disease usually occurs when the iodine content in drinking water is less than 5-10ug / L or the daily intake is less than 40ug. The extent of the disease is related to the developmental period of the human body, and the degree and duration of iodine deficiency. It is generally believed that iodine deficiency during the embryonic period and early postnatal period can cause cretinism and simple deafness; while iodine deficiency during the growth period causes goiter, hypothyroidism, reproductive decline, and sexual retardation. May 15th each year is the National Iodine Deficiency Disease Prevention Day.

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