During China's Iodine Deficiency Prevention Day Monday experts explained that around 600,000 to one million new-born babies in China suffer iodine deficiency every year which affects the growth of the brain. 

Research by Tianjin Medical University, in north China, showed that iodine deficiency had the potential to impair the intelligence of children.

In China, some 600,000 to one million newborns out of an annual total of 20 million do not get sufficient iodine, said Chen Zupei, head of China iodine deficiency panel.

According to the research, the average intelligence in babies not getting enough iodine is 10 to 12 points lower than those whose do. 

It is estimated that 700 million people in China suffered iodine deficiency in the 1960s and 1970s.

The Chinese government has implemented an iodized salt program to assist alleviate the problem. However, there were still 65 million who hadn't access to the salt, said Chen.

Chinese health authorities had greatly reduced the incidence of iodine deficiency, the Ministry of Health said last Wednesday.

"In some areas, especially in western regions, measures to fortify salt with iodine have not been sufficiently completed," said ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an.

China has approximately 720 million people living in iodine-deficient regions. The government started an iodized salt program in 1995.

After ten years, access to the salt had greatly increased and general nutrition levels had improved, Mao said.

A survey by the Ministry of Health last year showed 90.2 percent of Chinese used iodized salt.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2006)