about three decades ago Peru managed to eliminate disruptions Iodine deficiency (DDI), which affected the quality of life of thousands of Peruvians for centuries. This success, considered a triumph for public health, was due to the application of the law requiring the iodization of all salts for human and animal consumption, thus ensuring sufficient production and distribution to meet the needs of the population.
Iodine is essential for the production of Thyroid hormoneswhich are essential for cell metabolism as well as the development and function of all body tissues and organs, especially the brain. Its deficiency causes damage in all phases of life, such as: Goiter And cretinism. Its effect is more serious during pregnancy as it can cause irreversible brain and cognitive damage in the fetus, with lower IQ, as well as speech and hearing impairments.
Iodine deficiency is a permanent geological phenomenon in mountainous areas like that To the; In Peru it affects the mountains and the jungle. The only way to prevent this is through daily iodine supplement with food and the easiest and most cost-effective way is to consume iodized salt. This method must be maintained through regular quality controls and universal consumption by an informed population. This responsibility recommended by the WHO corresponds to the health sector.
In recent years control has weakened and this situation risks reoccurrence, as has happened in many countries in the past.
The ongoing success since 1996 has been based on three pillars: ongoing surveillance, scientific knowledge and community education. A sufficient supply of iodine can only be guaranteed if the consumption of iodized salt is ensured through continuous monitoring in accordance with legal regulations.
He Mobile thyroid It is a rapid survey model that collects information from different locations. In 1998 we evaluated Latin American countries and used this opportunity to assess the current status of iodine nutrition in the population of the Sierra Selva. In an appropriately equipped vehicle, a medical team travels from north to south, stopping in selected cities where the thyroid volume of school-age children is assessed using ultrasound and the thyroid function of pregnant and fertile women is assessed by analysis of thyroid hormones. In addition, urine and salt samples consumed in households are collected to analyze their iodine content, indicators of iodine intake and quality of iodized salt, respectively.
The results of this evaluation will allow MINSA to design health policies that guarantee the sustainability of the achievements achieved.
The assessment is carried out jointly by CENAN of the INS and the Institute of Altitude Research of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, with support from Iodine Global Network and Merck Peru.
Throughout my professional career, I have dedicated a large part of the fight against iodine deficiency, researching its extent, consequences and methods of prevention and treatment in Latin America, with a focus on Peru, with the satisfaction of witnessing the declaration of iodine deficiency as an IDD-free country in 1996 and also in the American region in 2014.
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