Iodine fortification in childhood increases IQ

According to an estimate more than Two billion people worldwide are at risk for iodine deficiency, caused by low iodine content in soil and groundwater and dietary differences.Over 140 countries have implemented Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) across the globe so far according to WHO Policy. Dr.Wiktoria Tafesse and researchers at the University of Sussex analyzed the impact of a recent mandatory salt iodisation policy implementation in India on literacy and numeracy scores of children in rural India.The investigators found that Iodine fortification of salt increases children’s numeracy and literacy skills by up to 6% thereby strengthening the argument for Universal Salt Iodisation (USI). The study also found that there is a gender difference on the impact of iodine fortification, with improvements seen in girls’ overall reading score but no change of effect found for boys.The study has been presented at the Royal Economic Society annual conference in Brighton.

Medical research shows strong associations between iodine deficiency in utero and early postnatal life and permanently low IQ, and the research suggests that the positive effects of fortification carry into childhood and beyond.

The causal impact of salt iodisation was analysed by comparing the trajectories in the attainment of those children who experienced salt iodisation in early life to those who were too old to benefit from the new Indian iodisation policy, across districts with and without a geographical predisposition to iodine deficiency.

The data revealed that being exposed to the policy in early life improved the likelihood of recognizing simple letters and numbers by up to 6%.

As the children were tested in the home, the changes can’t be attributed to any changes in school policy or attendance and show that the results were not driven by coincidental improvements in health or access to school.

The UK has been identified as a country with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant women. Adequate iodine intake among pregnant women is critical for the brain development of the foetus and thus permanent cognitive attainment of the next generation.

Over 140 countries have implemented Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) across the globe so far, but the UK has not adopted legislation on salt iodisation despite USI being viewed as a simple and cost-effective way to increase iodine levels in the general population.

The reasoning for this in the UK may be that such a policy would conflict with current public health advice, encouraging lower salt consumption. However, WHO policy states that iodisation and salt reduction can happen in tandem.

“These findings are relevant to public policy issues in countries across the world and suggest that the implementation of USI in countries with iodine deficiency would be a positive step.

“Mandating and enforcing USI in developing countries could also constitute a very low-cost policy to improve human capital throughout the life course, especially in many Sub-Saharan African countries with a very low consumption of iodised salt.”

Though school enrolment and school attainment has risen in many parts of the developing world, learning outcomes have remained poor in many countries.

Estimates from this new research suggest that increasing the national coverage of iodised salt from 10% to 90% could increase the proportion of children attaining basic academic skills by at least 10%.

For more details click on the link: http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/landia/PIIS2213-8587(16)30055-9.pdf