Impact of Climatic and Seasonal Variations on Iodine Deficiency Disorders: A Case Study of Selected Villages in Agastyamuni Block, Rudraprayag District, Garhwal Himalaya

Iodine deficiency, a natural ecological phenomenon, is primarily driven by historical glaciations and intensified by environmental factors such as leaching due to precipitation, leading to Environmental Iodine Deficiency (EID) in various regions, including the mountainous areas of the Indian Subcontinent, China, Europe, and parts of Africa. This deficiency impacts soil quality and, consequently, the iodine content of plant life, particularly affecting populations reliant on subsistence agriculture. Notably, the Himalayan goitre belt, encompassing the Garhwal Himalaya, is traditionally viewed as an iodine-deficient area. However, our investigation revealed a surprisingly low incidence of goitre, with only 2.3% of the population exhibiting palpable, non-visible goitre and no visible cases. Urinary iodine excretion studies corroborated mild iodine deficiency among residents, suggesting a paradox where low iodine prophylaxis correlates with minimal iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). This study conducts a comprehensive survey assessing iodine consumption, salt procurement and usage patterns, dietary habits, and socio-economic status across 06 villages in Rudraprayag district. Findings indicate a prevalent reliance on un-iodized salt, raising questions about the mechanisms sustaining low IDD incidence in this iodine-deficient region. The study also includes pedigree analyses to explore familial patterns of IDDs linked to goitre, contributing to a deeper understanding of iodine dynamics in this unique ecological context.