Evaluation of the effects of iodized salt on the mental development of preschool‐aged children

A cluster randomized trial in northern Ethiopia

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15536723
AutoresFrances E Aboud (0000-0001-9306-5740, McGill University, autor de correspondencia), Karim Bougma (0000-0001-6890-256X, McGill University), Tizita Lemma (Bahir Dar University), Grace S Marquis (0000-0002-2349-4897, McGill University)
Año2016
Volumen13
Número2
Fecha de publicación2016-05-03
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12322
PMID27145299
OpenAlexW2345708383
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas27

A cluster randomized effectiveness trial was used to examine the effects on mental development of introducing iodized salt to children 4 to 6 years of age in Ethiopia, where there were reportedly high levels of iodine deficiency. Sixty district clusters were randomized to receive iodized salt early at their markets with assistance from regular salt distributors or later as introduced by market forces. At pre- and post-iodization, 1602 children were given cognitive/language tests (namely School Readiness, WPPSI verbal reasoning, WPPSI Matrix reasoning), and mothers were interviewed concerning demographics, nutrition and health. Children's weight, height, urine and a blood sample were taken. Analyses of covariance, adjusting for clustering and baseline levels were conducted. Urinary iodine concentrations were significantly higher at endline in the intervention children than controls though both medians were above threshold. Overall, less than 5% were anemic. There were no significant main effect differences between groups on the cognitive/language tests, but there were effect modifiers, namely mother's education, child's sex and diet. For example, the intervention group performed better on the school readiness test than controls if their mothers had attended school, but not otherwise. In conclusion, the data are consistent with negative findings from studies where children 6 to 12 years were supplemented with an iodine capsule, indicating that the benefits of iodine, in salt or capsule form, for brain development may be restricted to children under 3 years. Yet, benefits may be tied to those with more educational resources or may compensate for conditions of disadvantage

Cluster randomised controlled trial · Cognition · Environmental health · Intelligence quotient · Iodine deficiency · Iodised salt · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children · Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Medicine · Thyroid Disorders and Treatments · Pediatrics