China Iodine Deficiency Disorders Day 2022

The 29th Iodine Deficiency Disorders Day (IDD Day) in China fell on May 15, 2022.

It aims to popularize the knowledge of iodine deficiency disease prevention and scientific iodine supplementation and to focus on the role of iodine in the brain development of infants.

In 1993, the State Council held a “Mobilization meeting for eliminating IDD in China by the year 2000”, after which the Ministry of Health decided to set up an annual publicity day for the prevention and control of diseases related to iodine deficiency. Through coordination between the Ministry of Health and other relevant departments, IDD Day was set on May 5 in 1994, and was changed to May 15 in 2002.

Key messages on IDD Day
1.Iodine is an essential micronutrient for human metabolism and development
Iodine is the main raw material the human body uses to synthesize the thyroid hormone.

The thyroid hormone helps with metabolism, maintains the normal functions of organs, and promotes the development of the human body, especially the brain.

The development of the infant’s brain begins in pregnancy. Fetal and infant periods (0-3 years old) are the key periods of children's brain development. If a child has iodine deficiency in those days, it will affect the normal development of the brain and, in severe cases, cause cretinism, deafness and muteness, as well as intellectual damage.

All the iodine needed by the fetus comes from the mother. If there is serious iodine deficiency during pregnancy, it will cause fetal abortion, premature delivery, stillbirth and congenital malformations.

Pregnant and lactating women need more iodine than the general population, so they need to supplement an appropriate amount of iodine in a timely way.

Iodine deficiency in adults may lead to hypothyroidism, fatigue and lack of concentration.

2.Consuming iodized salt is the simplest, safest and most effective way to prevent IDD
IDD is the general name of a series of diseases caused by lack of iodine in the external environment, resulting in insufficient iodine intake of the human body.

Iodine deficiency diseases can be prevented. The simplest, safest and most effective way to prevent iodine deficiency diseases is to consume iodized salt.

The external environment (water, soil, etc.) in most areas of China, especially in mountainous areas, hills, river valleys and desertification areas, is iodine deficient. But the current situation of iodine deficiency in the external environment is difficult to change. If iodine supplementation stopped, the iodine stored in the human body can only last up to three months.

3.There is no direct evidence that consuming iodized salt is associated with the incidence of thyroid cancer
In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in major countries around the world, whether iodine supplementation measures are taken or not, and whether iodine intake is increased or decreased.

A considerable part of thyroid microcarcinoma has the characteristics of inert progression and low malignancy. Patients should obey the requirements of clinicians and carry out correct treatment or follow-up observation.

Thyroid microcarcinoma has a high prevalence. It is hidden and difficult to find. According to autopsy reports in many developed countries, the prevalence of thyroid cancer not found before death is as high as 5.6 to 35.6 percent, of which microcarcinoma accounts for 67 percent.