Obesity and Monitoring Iodine Nutritional Status in Schoolchildren: is Body Mass Index a Factor to Consider?

Background: The frequency of overweight (OW) and obese (OB) children has increased worldwide, particularly in economically developed countries. No studies have been conducted to verify whether the increasing frequency of OW and obesity in schoolchildren may affect the evaluation of iodine nutritional status in populations. The aim of this study was to verify whether urinary iodine concentration (UIC), thyroid volume (TV), and thyroid hypoechoic pattern may be affected by body mass index (BMI) in schoolchildren. Methods: The children included in this study (aged 11-13 years) were a part of the schoolchildren recruited in the second nationwide survey (period 2015-2019) conducted in Italy to monitor by law (Atto di Intesa Stato-Regioni February 26, 2009) the nationwide iodine prophylaxis program. Specifically, 1281 schoolchildren residing in iodine-sufficient areas (IS group) and 384 children residing in a still mildly iodine-deficient area (ID group) were recruited between January and March 2015 in the first-degree secondary state schools. In all the children, spot UIC was measured, thyroid ultrasound was performed to evaluate TV, and hypoechogenicity was assessed to indirectly evaluate iodine-associated thyroid autoimmunity. Results: The frequency of OW, OB, and adequate weight (AW) children was similar in the IS and ID groups at any age. After adjusting for sex and age, the regression analysis showed lower UIC values in OB children than in AW children of the IS group (beta coefficient = -34.09 [95% confidence interval -65.3 to -2.8]), whereas no significant differences were observed in the ID group. In both the IS and ID groups, the distribution of TV in AW children was significantly shifted toward lower values in comparison to the distribution of OB children (p < 0.001 in the IS group; p = 0.012 in the ID group). Furthermore, the frequency of thyroid hypoechogenicity was higher in the ID group than in the IS group (10.9% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.005); however, in both groups, it was significantly lower in AW children than in OB children (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrates that BMI may be a confounding factor in monitoring iodine nutritional status in schoolchildren. Since in Italy as in other Western countries the number of OW and OB children is high, BMI is a factor to consider in monitoring salt iodization programs worldwide.

Undernutrition, Vitamin A and Iron Deficiency Are Associated with Impaired Intestinal Mucosal Permeability in Young Bangladeshi Children Assessed by Lactulose/Mannitol Test

BACKGROUND

Lactulose/mannitol (L:M) test has been used as a non-invasive marker of intestinal mucosal -integrity and -permeability (enteropathy). We investigated the association of enteropathy with anthropometrics, micronutrient- status, and morbidity in children.

METHODS

The urine and blood samples were collected from 925 children aged 6-24 months residing in Mirpur slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh during November 2009 to April 2013. L:M test and micronutrient status were assessed in the laboratory of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) following standard procedure.

RESULTS

Mean±SD age of the children was 13.2±5.2 months and 47.8% were female. Urinary- lactulose recovery was 0.264±0.236, mannitol recovery was 3.423±3.952, and L:M was 0.109±0.158. An overall negative correlation (Spearman's-rho) of L:M was found with age (rs = -0.087; p = 0.004), weight-for-age (rs = -0.077; p = 0.010), weight-for-length (rs = -0.060; p = 0.034), mid-upper-arm-circumference (rs = -0.098; p = 0.001) and plasma-retinol (rs = -0.105; p = 0.002); and a positive correlation with plasma α-1-acid glycoprotein (rs = 0.066; p = 0.027). However, most of the correlations were not very strong. Approximately 44% of children had enteropathy as reflected by L:M of ≥0.09. Logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age (infancy) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.35; p = 0.027), diarrhea (AOR = 4.00; p = 0.039) or fever (AOR = 2.18; p = 0.003) within previous three days of L:M test were the risk factors of enteropathy (L:M of ≥0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Enteropathy (high L:M) is associated with younger age, undernutrition, low vitamin A and iron status, and infection particularly diarrhea and fever.

[Iodine supply of pregnant women in the Czech Republic]

INTRODUCTION

Iodine deficiency is a global public health problem which is particularly noticeable in pregnant or breastfeeding women and their children. Even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to damage to the developing brain and thus affecting the fetus intelligence, his cognitive and neurological function, embryogenesis and growth.

PATIENTS

In the period 2010-2015 was determined by spectrophotometry at the Institute of Endocrinology the basal urinary iodine in 532 pregnant women at the age of 32 ± 5 (18-44) years, which came from Prague, Hradec Kralove and Mlada Boleslav. It was located 349 women in the first trimester, 112 in the second trimester, and 71 women in the third trimester. In the monitoring of pregnant women in the first trimester 218 basal urine samples of women were determined by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP MS) in The National Institute of Public Health (NIPH). Women came from the 6 areas in the Czech Republic. Development of urinary iodine in the general population in the period 1994-2015 was observed in patients who underwent Institute of Endocrinology and from population studies conducted in 7 regions of the Czech Republic. It performed 52 648 spectrophotometric analysis of urinary iodine in the general population.

METHODS

Urinary iodine was determined by alkali melting of urine samples, followed by spectrophotometric determination of iodine in the form of iodide using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction in the Institute of Endocrinology or determination was performed by ICP-MS in the laboratory of NIPH.

RESULTS

On average, only 21.8 % of pregnant women had urinary iodine values determined by spectrophotometry higher than 150 μg/L. The results of iodine nutrition of pregnant women in the first trimester analyzed using ICP-MS are better, but even so, only 50.5 % of pregnant women have urinary iodine higher than 150 μg/L.

CONCLUSION

The results of iodine nutrition of pregnant women are alarming, on average, only 30 % of the total of 750 examined women have urinary iodine values greater than 150 μg/L and therefore meet the requirements of the WHO for pregnant women. Our results, however, show that iodine deficiency is not major public health problem in the general population.Key words: ICP-MS - pregnant women - Sandell-Kolthoff reaction - urinary iodine.

[Iodine supply and iodinuria among the Czech population between the years 1995 and 2016]

Monitoring of Ioduria and Iodine saturation are essential tools for evaluation of effectivness of measures aimed at elimination of diseases caused by iodine deficiency. Between 1995 and 2016 monitoring of ioduria was udertaken in various population groups in Czech Republic. The most recent study (2015) found only 37 % of pregnant women in optimal range of ioduria (150-300 mcg/l), in iodopenic range 27 %, while 6 % of these had severe iodopenia below 50 mcg/l. In a group of 3y old children investigated in the same year, 57 % were found to have Ioduria within the recommended range (90-299 mcg/l), 24 % had higher than recommended Ioduria (300-499 mcg/l) and 8 % excessive saturation (over 500 mcg/l). Observed group of seniors (60-75 years) satisfied criteria for maintenance of elimination of iodine deficit of International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), the advisory institution to World Health Organisation (WHO), as only 9 % of participants were found to have Ioduria less than 100 mcg/l and no participant had Ioduria below 50 mcg/l. Main challenges are currently stabilisation of Iodine content in milk and ensuring optimal saturation of pregnant and breast feeding women with Iodine. On-going ambition of the Inter-resort Commission for Solution of Iodine Deficit (MKJD) affiliated to the National Health Institute in Prague is to reduce and eventually eliminate diseases caused by Iodine deficiency or excess. Also, to achieve Ioduria between 100-300 mcg/l in majority of population, which would indicate adequate Iodine supply, while median of Iodurias should remain below 300 mcg/l.Key words: iodine deficiency - iodine supply - ioduria.

[Urinary iodine concentration in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus]

INTRODUCTION

In patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus only rare data concerning the status of iodine supplementation and impact of possible iodine deficiency is available.

AIM

To get basic information about (a) state of supply with iodine in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1T), (b) the difference from non-diabetic population, (c) possible association of iodine saturation with some clinical and laboratory features of the diabetic syndrome, including the state of thyroid gland.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We examined 54 men and 51 women treated with DM1T in a cross-sectional study. Age: median 42 years (25th quartil 31, 75th quartil 55), DM1T duration: 18 years (13, 23), BMI: 25.9 (23.3, 29.7), HbA1c: 61 mmol/mol (51, 71), creatinine: 71 μmol/l (61, 83), micro-albuminuria 4.3 μg/min (1.9, 11.8), TSH: 1.77 mIU/l (1.12, 2.80). The iodine saturation was evaluated using iodine concentration in a sample of first morning urine.

RESULTS

Urinary iodine concentration in the whole group: median 152 μg/l, 25th quartile 117 μg/l, 75th quartile 219 μg/l. More than 50 % of the urinary iodine samples fell within range of optimal saturation (100-200 μg/l), 13 % within insufficient saturation (< 100 μg/l), 35 % of the samples showed increased saturation (> 200 μg/l), in which 2/3 were men. Using multiple regression analysis we found significant positive association of urinary iodine concentration and male gender, body weight, stature, and serum creatinine. No relation between urinary iodine and clinical and laboratory features of the diabetic syndrome was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Iodine saturation in examined patients with DM1T was in accordance with ICCIDD (WHO) requirements for optimal/good saturation in non-diabetic population. With respect to the chosen normal urinary iodine concentration, eg. 100, resp. 150 μg/l the features of diabetic syndrome were not different. The question whether other factors than general measures taken in the past for solution of the iodine deficiency in the Czech Republic are involved in good level of iodine saturation in patients with DM1T should be addressed in further investigations comprising larger cohorts of patients.Key words: diabetes mellitus - urinary iodine concentration.

[Fluoride urinary excretion in Mexico City's preschool children]

OBJECTIVE

The assessment of urinary fluoride excretion during dental developing stage has been reported for different countries with community fluoride programs. Also, one of the factors that could influence on retention and excretion of fluoride is the deficient nutrition so the aim of this study was to determine fluoride urinary excretion by a group of preschool children with and without malnutrition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urinary samples from 24 hours were collected from 60 preschool children selected by convenience from Iztapalapa area of Mexico City, 30 with malnutrition and 30 with standard nutritrional status by weight for age. The samples were analyzed by fluoride especific electrode. Orion 720A.

RESULTS

The average concentration of fluoride in urine from preschool children with and without malnutrition were 0.89 +/- 0.4 mg/L and 0.80 +/- 0.3 mg/L, respectively. The mean of 24 hours total fluoride excreted were 367 +/- 150 microg/24 hrs. in malnutrition children and 355 +/- 169 microg/24 hrs. for those with standard nutritional status. There were no differences statistically significant between groups.

CONCLUSION

The urinary fluoride excretion for children with and without malnutrition were in the optimal range of fluoridation for the prevention of caries decay. Malnutrition was no associated with changes on fluoride orine concentration and excretion rates.

Mutual interaction between nutritional status and chronic arsenic toxicity due to groundwater contamination in an area of Terai, lowland Nepal

OBJECTIVE

To reveal the inter-relationship between nutritional status and arsenic toxicity.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A survey in an area of lowland Nepal, where a high prevalence of both skin manifestation and malnutrition was observed. Daily arsenic intake was estimated by measuring the arsenic concentration and daily consumption of the drinking water.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult villagers (248 men and 291 women). About half were classified as "underweight" (body mass index <18.5), indicating poor nutritional status.

MAIN RESULTS

Arsenic intake was negatively correlated with body mass index and substantially increased the prevalence of underweight individuals, among whom the prevalence of skin manifestations was 1.65-fold higher than normal weight individuals. When exposure level was considered, the prevalence of skin symptoms was consistently higher in the underweight than in the normal group. Although enhanced susceptibility in men was apparent by the increased prevalence of cutaneous symptoms, no sex difference was observed in the prevalence of underweight individuals related with exposure to arsenic.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggested that exposure to arsenic is associated with an increased prevalence of underweight, a serious health problem in developing countries, which in turn is associated with increased skin manifestation of arsenic poisoning.

Iodine excretion with urine and thyrotrophic hormone concentration in normal and complicated pregnancies in the industrial region of iodine deficiency

A sufficient amount of iodine in food is necessary for the thyroid gland to produce hormones during pregnancy. The aim of our work was to evaluate iodine and thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) concentration in urine, free triiodothyronine (fT3) and thyroxine (fT4) in complicated pregnancies in Upper Silesia (region of iodine deficiency in Poland) in comparison with normal pregnancies. In both groups the iodine content in urine was evaluated by a quick test and serous concentrations of TSH, fT3 and fT4 were determined by a radioimmunological method. We found the iodine excretion with urine below 100 microg/L in 29.15% of all women under study, i.e. an insufficient supply of this element. The reduced iodine concentration in urine was found to be more often in women with imminent premature delivery. Moreover, it was found that in II trimester the concentration of iodine excreted with urine had been significantly lower comparing to the patients examined in III trimester. We found significantly higher concentration of thyrotrophic hormone in pregnant women with iodine excretion below 100 microg/L of urine. Evaluation of the iodine concentration in urine may be a simple screening test to determine the supply of this element in a diet. Moreover, our studies demonstrate the necessity for the iodine supplementation in pregnant women in the Silesian region--an area of iodine deficiency in Central Europe.

Total energy expenditure (H218O), physical activity level and milk output of lactating rural Bangladeshi tea workers and nontea workers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), milk output and physical activity level (PAL) of chronically malnourished lactating women using the doubly labelled water method (DLW).

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal study designed to assess the extent of malnutrition and energetics of lactating tea workers and nontea workers.

SETTING

North-east Bangladesh on women working and living in the same tea estates.

SUBJECTS

Of an original cohort of 150 lactating women, 30 were selected to participate in this study when they were at about 12 months postpartum. One mother subsequently dropped out.

INTERVENTIONS

On day 1 each women provided a urine sample, was administered a dose of DLW and 6 h later provided another sample. Further urine samples were collected for 21 subsequent days. In addition, every 5 days the mother provided a milk sample and at the same time her baby provided a urine sample.

RESULTS

Mean (s.d.) BMI was 17.4 (1.63). Mean TDEE and PAL were significantly higher in workers than nonworkers (8.42 (1.38) and 6.83 (2.09) MJ/day, P = 0.02 and 1.92 (0.34) and 1.59 (0.44), P = 0.03, respectively). Mean milk output was similar in the two groups (672 (180) ml and 749 (189) ml in workers and nonworkers, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on international BMI cutoffs, 79% of mothers were suffering from some degree of chronic energy deficiency. A total of 35% of workers and 17% of nonworkers were engaged in strenuous physical activity. The mean milk output of both workers and nonworkers was not different and was high especially as most of the mothers were about 12 months postpartum. No relationship was found between menses return and any of the variables studied.

SPONSORSHIP

World Health Organization, Nestle Foundation, UNICEF.

Experiences in the prevention, control and elimination of iodine deficiency disorders: a regional perspective

Before 1987, iodine deficiency was not considered an issue of major importance in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Progress began with a systematic national study of goitre and other iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1983. Following a major review of the prevalence of IDD in member states, Guidelines for national programmes for the control of iodine deficiency disorders in the EMR were published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1988. This paper discusses progress towards elimination of iodine deficiency by reviewing the status of IDD in the countries of EMR and programmes for prevention and control of IDD with particular reference to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first country to be declared IDD-free by WHO.

Urinary iodine/creatinine ratio in patients with stomach cancer in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran

We carried out a case-control study is to investigate the relationship between iodine deficiency and stomach cancer. We compared the ratio of urinary iodine to urinary creatinine in 100 patients diagnosed with stomach cancer and 84 people in a control group. Mean urinary iodine levels were lower in the patients with stomach cancer, 61.9 microg/g creatinine, compared to 101.7 microg/g creatinine in the control group (P < 0.0001). More of the cancer patients (49.0%) had severe iodine deficiency (< 25 microg/g creatinine) than people in the control group (19.1%) (P< 0.0001). We found the relationship between stomach cancer and iodine deficiency to be significant.

Quantification of urinary iodine: a need for revised thresholds

OBJECTIVE

To compare different possibilities of reporting the iodine supply in the same urine samples. Indeed, in field studies, urinary iodine concentration (I/L: micro g I/L, micro mol I/L, I/creatinine: micro g I/g creatanine, micro mol I/mol creatinine) is more readily available than excretion (I/24h micro g I/24 h, micro mol I/24h). However, confusion exists regarding the comparability of iodine supply based upon I/L, I/creatinine and I/24h, which for decades have been regarded as biochemically equivalent.

DESIGN

We compared I/24h, I/L and I/creatinine in accurate 24 h collections of urine and I/L and I/creatinine in 47 spot urine samples.

PATIENTS

A total of 13 subjects (Bern n=7, Brussels n=6) collected a total of 110 precise 24 h urine collections (Bern n=63, Brussels n=47). The subjects from Brussels also took a spot sample at the beginning of each 24 h collection.

RESULTS

Iodine supply in both places was mildly deficient according to the criteria of WHO; all but one collection indicated an intake of >0.39 micro mol I/24h (>50 micro g I/24h). The same data presented as I/creatinine (or I/L) indicated an iodine intake of <0.39 (<50 micro g I/24h) in 5% (24%) of the samples in Bern and 23% (57%) in Brussels. Similar findings were observed for 47 spot samples. Whatever the cut-off selected, I/creatinine and I/L were systematically lower than I/24h (P<0.0002). Creatinine showed smaller CV than volume but did not perform better in defining iodine intake.

CONCLUSION

Considering I/24h as a reference, both I/creatinine and I/L clearly underestimate the iodine intake in subjects with adequate proteoenergetic intake. The significant deviations observed illustrate the urgent need for establishing separate ranges for I/24h, I/creatinine and I/L. In population studies, these deviations might even be larger.

Oxalate metabolism in man studied during total parenteral nutrition

The mean urinary excretion of oxalate was 325 micromol/24 h in six patients during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The urinary excretion of oxalate was considered to be equal to the endogenous oxalate production. A 2-day load of the oxalate precursor glycine given to five patients did not influence the oxalate excretion in spite of increased serum glycine concentrations. A 3-day load of the oxalate precursor ascorbic acid given to four patients increased the oxalate excretion in all patients. In one patient TPN was prolonged for 20 days without any change in the amount of oxalate excreted.