During a survey of primary school children aged 6 to 12 years in a hilly district, the Total Goitre Rate (grade 1 plus grade 2 goitre by palpation) is found to be 7 percent. According to WHO criteria, this district should be classified as:

• A Non-endemic, no action needed
• B Borderline; repeat survey with urinary iodine before classifying
• C Endemic only if cretinism cases are also found
• D Endemic for IDD constituting a significant public health problem ✓

Explanation

WHO defines endemic goitre as a Total Goitre Rate of 5 percent or more among school-age children (6 to 12 years), signifying iodine deficiency as a significant public health problem. School children are surveyed because they reflect current population iodine status better than older age groups. Cretinism is not required for classification; urinary iodine complements but does not gate the classification.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.