Micronutrient deficiency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Micronutrient deficiency - Essay Example Still, much needs to be done, before a complete and conclusive success is achieved in this aspect of health care. Disorders Caused by Iodine Deficiency Iodine deficiency can impact human health much before the birth of a child. Iodine deficiency has the potential to jeopardize children’s mental health and in some instances could put to risk the very survival of a child (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency leads to the impairment of the cognitive development in children (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency has severe repercussions during pregnancy. It could lead to still births, abortions and may lead to congenital abnormalities like mental retardation that is grave and mostly irreversible, and cretinism (WHO: Online). Iodine deficiency also gives way to goiter (WHO: Online). These are some of the visible and easily discernable disorders caused by iodine deficiency. Of far greater significance is the less visible impact of iodine deficiency that most often gives way to mental impairmen t resulting in a compromise of the intellectual capacities in children and adults, in the day to day life (WHO: Online). Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency Some common symptoms of iodine deficiency include goiter or enlargement of the thyroid, weight gain, weakness, fatigue and depression (Mercer, 2006).