Zahrou, Fatima-EzzahraMenchawy, Imane E LAglago, Elom KouassiviAzlaf, MehdiBelghiti, HakimElhamdouchi, AsmaaKari, Khalid E LMzibri, Mohamed E LRjimati, E L ArbiHaloui, Noureddine E LAguenaou, Hassan2016-12-152016-12-152015Zahrou Fatima-Ezzahra, Menchawy Imane E L, Aglago Elom Kouassivi, Azlaf Mehdi, Belghiti Hakim, Elhamdouchi Asmaa, Kari Khalid E L, Mzibri Mohamed E L, Rjimati E L Arbi, Haloui Noureddine E L, Aguenaou Hassan. Iodine Fortified Milk Reduces Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorder in School Children in Morocco. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 2015 Special issue; 5(5): 2007-2008.http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/179903Objectives: Iodine deficiencies compromise the health and the development of many school-age children worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of iodine fortified milk consumption among Moroccan schoolchildren (n = 193) in rural region. Methods: Iodine status was assessed in 79 children aged 7–9 y before and after consumption of 200mL UHT fortified milk (providing 30% RDA for iodine) daily for 9-months compared to a control group (n = 114) who consumed non-fortified milk. Anthropometric measurements and urine samples were collected and analysed at baseline, 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Results: Severe iodine deficiency was prevalent among the intervention group. At T4 and T9, there was a marked improvement of severe iodine deficiency in the fortified group (8.9% at the baseline, 1.4% at T4 and 0% at T9). The prevalence of moderate iodine deficiency was reduced from the baseline to the end of the study ranging from 36.8% to 6.4%. While for the mild iodine deficiency, the prevalence was increased at T4 (61.9%) and then decreased at T9 (23.6%). A significant reduction of the prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed in the control group certainly due to the presence of residual iodine in the whole non fortified milk (10.4μg/100ml). Conclusions: The consumption of iodine fortified milk led to a clear improvement of iodine status among schoolchildren of rural. This study was performed with the support of "Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la Nutrition de l'Enfant".enArticle