Published on August 13, 2005

A project using demographic maps to identify areas of iodine-deficiency and low intelligence are being drawn on the belief there is a connection between the two. In all, the Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health will draw three maps in an effort to combat low intelligence, after it a study found the average IQ level among many youths was lower than 80.

Two of the maps will focus on iodine deficiency: one depicting the average level of iodine in pregnant women and another showing the percentage of people who have access to iodised salt in each area.

A third map will focus on the average IQ level among children in every province.

Dr Apichai Mongkhol, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said the three maps would help health officers tackle mental retardation and low IQ levels among children.

He said there was evidence to confirm that a lack of iodine during pregnancy can cause irreversible mental retardation in children.

The maps could help zone and identify places where the chronic intelligence levels and low iodine areas are.

Pregnant women in iodine-deficient zones will receive priority in obtaining iodised salt, which will be distributed by the Department of Health.

According to Apichai, the whole country is not suffering from such problems.

Apichai referred to a study by Ramathibodi Hospital that found an average IQ of 80 among children it surveyed, which is lower than the preferred 100 level.

The paper showed that students in the Northeast had the lowest scores, while the North ranked second lowest.

To complete the maps, information from both departments as well as data from Ramathibodi Hospital will be compiled.

Apichai said the project would be completed within the next fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2006.

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