In a district survey of iodine deficiency, the median urinary iodine excretion of schoolchildren is used to assess population iodine status. A median value below which level indicates inadequate iodine intake in a population?

• A <200 micrograms/litre
• B <150 micrograms/litre
• C <100 micrograms/litre ✓
• D <50 micrograms/litre

Explanation

WHO classifies population iodine nutrition using median urinary iodine concentration: a median below 100 micrograms/litre defines insufficient iodine intake. Values of 100 to 199 are adequate, 200 to 299 indicate more than adequate intake, and 300 or above suggests excessive intake. The individual requirement figure of 150 micrograms/day is a common distractor, but that is the daily recommended intake for adults, whereas the population adequacy cut-off applied to urine samples is 100 micrograms/litre.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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