Publication:

Egg, iodine, and iron supplementation increase nutrition: iodine and iron status in elementary school children in rural Indonesia

Background The iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) has become a worldwide problem because the prevalence is increasing in the recent decades. IDD occurs not only in developing countries, but also in developed countries. This study analyzed the effect of various combinations of egg, iron, iodine supplementation on nutritional status, thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and hemoglobin on elementary school children in iodine deficiency endemic area in Indonesia.

Methods This study was an experimental research with double blind randomized controlled trial using combination of iodine supplementation, iron supplementation and egg. Subjects were children aged 8-13 years old living in Central Java, Indonesia. An IDD screening was done in a population study has conducted by palpation and subjects were divided into four groups: YIE group (iodine supplementation + iron supplementation + eggs); YE group (iodine supplementation + egg); IE group (iron supplementation+eggs); E group (eggs only). Nutritional status, iodine status, and iron status were measured before and after the intervention within four months.

Results From 675 elementary school children that were screened, 173 children (25.63%) had thyroid gland enlargement. There was a significant effect on nutritional status based on height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age in all groups (all p 0.05). There was no significant changes on T3 and T4 level in all group (p>0.05).

Conclusions Combination of macro and micronutrient supplementation may increase nutrition status and hemoglobin of elementary school children who suffered iodine deficiency disorder.