REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .
[Assessment of an interventional study on iodine deficiency in Burkina Faso, 1990-1993. Direction de la Santé de la Famille (Burkina Faso)].
OBJECTIVES To find how the urinary parameters of iodine excretion evolved in a community with deficiencies , after administering iodine orally and IM in two provinces in Burkina Faso ; to recommend a national strategy to tackle iodine deficits . Design . A longitudinal survey before and after the iodine was given ( 12 months ) . Descriptive analysis of the data . SETTING Provinces of Namentenga and Passoré in Burkina Faso . PARTICIPANTS The general population of the two provinces who satisfied age-sex criteria : males from 0 to 25 , females from 0 - 45 . R and omised two-stage sampling . 423 people in all took part ( 210 in Namentenga and 213 in Passoré ) . INTERVENTIONS The administration of 1 ml of iodised oil ( Lipiodol ) orally in Namentenga and IM in Passoré . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The urinary parameters of micrograms of iodine per gr . of Creatinine , and micrograms of iodine per dl of urine , were used . Figures for normalisation of the urinary parameters 12 months after iodisation was significantly higher in Passoré province , where iodine was administered IM . CONCLUSIONS The intramuscular pathway has more longlasting effects , but the characteristics of Burkina Faso 's health system and the feasibility of a medium or long-term intervention make it advisable that iodine supplements be administered orally
REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .