38m children born globally at risk of brain damage every yr: Unicef

Unicef yesterday issued a major report on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation, which looks at progress made in preventing the problem over the past two decades, lessons learned and guiding principles for future success, says a press release.
IDD results from a diet low in iodine, which is particularly damaging during early pregnancy because it retards foetal development, especially brain development, causing a range of intellectual, motor and hearing deficits.
However, the problem is easily and inexpensively prevented by iodizing all salt for human and animal consumption, highlights the report titled Sustainable Elimination of Iodine Deficiency.
“The report shows how governments, the salt industry and communities, with Unicef support, have made great progress over the past 20 years in eliminating iodine deficiency through universal salt iodization,” said Werner Schultink, associate director of nutrition, Unicef.
“But there is still much to do to ensure every child is protected,” he said, adding that partnerships have been crucial for this achievement.
Organisations such as International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Kiwanis, Micronutrient Initiative, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and Centres for Disease Control have all worked in partnership with governments and the salt industry supported by donor governments and organisations.
“Thirty-four countries have achieved universal salt iodization, but there are still 38 million children born every year at risk of brain damage because of iodine deficiency. So there is no room for complacency in our efforts to combat the problem,” said Schultink.
Along with those countries that have achieved universal salt iodization, two global regions are also close to this target, namely Latin America and the Caribbean where 85 percent of households consume adequately iodized salt, and East Asia and the Pacific, where the figure is 84 percent.
Nevertheless other regions face severe challenges and the report outlines five guiding principles based on the lessons learned over the past 20 years for successfully completing the global fight to eliminate IDD.
These are political commitment, partnerships and coalitions among the governments, salt producers and donors, ensuring availability of iodized salt, strengthening monitoring systems, and maintaining education and communication through specific messages for national leaders, salt industries, media, technical and professional groups, teachers and families.