Jodkids: a Study of Iodine Intake Among Children Aged 2-10 Years

All children in Denmark receive iodine fortification through the iodine fortification program of salt, bread, and baked goods. As DANSDA's results demonstrate a risk of increased iodine intake among the youngest children, it is necessary to carry out the study in these age groups, as this can have harmful effects on children's thyroid health as well as neural development. Children are the group in society that most easily exceeds the intake of iodine, whereas many pregnant women still find it difficult to achieve a sufficient intake with the current level of fortification. Through this study, it is possible to detect and deal with a potentially too high intake in children in time. If, on the other hand, the study shows that the children have a satisfactory intake of iodine, the iodine fortification level can potentially be increased, so that the iodine intake is increased in the groups that still have an iodine intake below the recommended level.

The study consists of two sub-studies. The specific objectives of the sub-studies are to:

• Iodine status (1): Estimate the iodine intake and food sources of iodine among children after the increased iodine fortification and assess whether some children are at risk of an increased iodine intake (2-10 years old).
• Diet validation (2): Validate the estimated iodine intake based on dietary records against the actual iodine intake measured in spot urines (4-10-year-olds).

A total of 600 participants are recruited, divided into 200 participants in each of three age groups: 1) 2-3 years, 2) 4-6 years and 3) 7-10 years. A short, electronic questionnaire is completed for all participants. In the iodine status study (1), the child's parents/guardians collect one urine spot sample from each participant to measure the population's iodine intake. The diet validation study (2) is carried out in a subsample of 100 participants divided into 50 participants in each of the age groups 2) 4-6 years and 3) 7-10 years. From here, the child's parents/guardian register data for the dietary intake every day for 7 consecutive days and collect one spot urine per day on the same 7 days when the dietary registration takes place.

All examinations are considered harmless.