Srinagar The Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar conducts the largest goiter survey in Kashmir.

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The Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) which ranges from impaired mental abilities to goiter among children according to experts has been an important public health problem and Kashmir is a known endemic region.

“This month, the IDD survey is being conducted in various government and private schools of four districts of Kashmir which include Srinagar, Islamabad, Baramulla and Budgam,” said Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, HOD Community Medicine and principal investigator of the study.

“For the purpose, approximately 30 schools have been randomly selected from each of the four districts and from each school 90 students, both boys and girls, in the age group of 6-12 years, from classes 1st to 6th,” he added.

The status of iodine deficiency disorders among children is assessed through physical examination for goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and estimation of iodine in salt and urine samples.

The study according to Dr Salim is done in collaboration with department of biochemistry and multi-specialty research unit established by Indian council of medical research in government medical college, Srinagar is and supported by drug and food control organization under NIDDCP and permission given by director school education, Kashmir.

 

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