A grain of salt can prevent learning disability

By Andrew Iles London

Millions of children are at risk of developing learning disabilities because their diet lacks iodine, says international children's charity, Unicef. The charity claims that a grain of iodised salt is all that is needed to prevent this deficiency.

In 2002, 46 million children were born unprotected from iodine deficiency, the world's single greatest cause of preventable learning disability. Carol Bellamy, executive director of Unicef, said, "There is no reason for so many children to be compromised by a disorder that can be prevented with only a few grains of iodised salt."

In 1995, less than a third of Chinese households consumed iodised salt; by 2000, more than 90% of households consumed iodised salt. Since 2001, the number of countries reporting iodised salt consumption of more than 90% of households increased from 21 to 27.

But globally the proportion of households consuming iodised salt has dropped from 69% to 65% over the past two years. Carol Bellamy said, "This alarming trend can and must be halted. All the key players--government, the salt industry, scientific groups, and civil society--must work together to make sure every household everywhere is consuming iodised salt."

In 2002, only 86 million newly born children were protected from brain damage related to iodine deficiency, compared to 91 million in 2002, according to Unicef estimates. Other problems caused by iodine deficiency include goitre, still birth, and miscarriage.