Hypothyroidism due to Iodine Deficiency from a Third Unknown Undernutrition

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K10880
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Tohto University (2024); Kochi University (2021-2023)
• Principal Investigator: SHIMOTAKE YUKI 東都大学, 沼津ヒューマンケア学部, 教授 (40746880)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 菅沼 成文 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系連携医学部門, 教授 (50313747) ; 下元 理恵 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系看護学部門, 講師 (60553500) ; 南 まりな 高知大学, 医学部, 特任助教 (90625013) ; 小森 香 高知大学, 医学部, 特任助教 (90769647)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: ヨード不足 / 甲状腺機能低下 / カンボジア / 栄養不良 / 精神神経発達検査

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Iodine is essential for childhood neurodevelopment, and its deficiency is a factor in delayed intellectual, physical, and mental development. Children's intelligence quotient (IQ) is determined by genetic, socioeconomic, and broader environmental factors, and micronutrient deficiencies are associated with neuropsychological development. The present study examined the effects of urinary iodine deficiency on cognitive function in children living in Cambodia: 293 children aged 6-13 years were included, and associations between anthropometry, diet, spot urine, and the KOHS Cubic Cognitive Test were assessed. The mean cognitive function was 96.1 and the mean urinary iodine concentration was 99.9 μg/L/day. Decreased urinary iodine was also associated with decreased cognitive function, with significant differences in cognitive decline among children aged 12-13 years.

Free Research Field

国際看護

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

カンボジアなど発展途上国において依然として課題となるヨウ素摂取不足が認知機能に影響を与えるリスク要因であることを明らかにした点である。とくに思春期前後の児童における認知機能低下と関連づけられたことが言える。特に栄養改善介入（食生活指導やヨウ素強化食品の普及）が教育成果や子どもの発達支援につながることを示唆する点にある。