To the Editor: Rahman and colleagues suggest that iodine deficiency in Victoria increased between 2001 and 2006, based on the findings of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in neonates at routine newborn screening.1 Indeed, their data as presented suggest a doubling of the percentage of mothers with iodine deficiency to over 9% during that period. This could be correct. Certainly, as they state, there is much evidence to suggest that there is mild iodine deficiency in Australia. However, there are caveats about the data they report which are not mentioned.
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- NSW Newborn Screening Programme, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
- 1. Rahman A, Savige GS, Deacon NJ, et al. Increased iodine deficiency in Victoria, Australia: analysis of neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone data, 2001 to 2006. Med J Aust 2010; 193: 503-505. <eMJA full text> <MJA full text>
- 2. World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, and International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders and monitoring their elimination. A guide for programme managers. 3rd ed. Geneva: WHO, 2007.
- 3. Zimmermann MB, Aeberli I, Torresani T, Bürgi H. Increasing the iodine concentration in the Swiss iodized salt program markedly improved iodine status in pregnant women and children: a 5-y prospective national study. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 82: 388-392.
- 4. Lafranchi SH. Newborn screening strategies for congenital hypothyroidism: an update. J Inherit Metab Dis 2010; 33 Suppl 2: S225-S233.