Iodine deficiency in China goitre. This disease causes a swelling in the neck, where the thyroid glands are, leading to impaired cognitive abilities. The child population was about 20% saturated with the disease but continues to decrease with the new initiatives. Another common IDD prevalent in China is Kashin-Beck disease. A particular outbreak in Tibet was recorded as occurring from lack of iodine. Kashin-Beck is a bone deformity endemic. Iodine deficiency, hypothyroidism, and low serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin were significantly related to Kashin–Beck disease. Iodine supplemented irrigation water in combination to iodized salt helps in reducing the neonatal and infant mortality rates. The
Vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) or hypovitaminosis A is a lack of vitamin A in blood and tissues. It is common in poorer countries, but rarely is seen in more developed countries. Nyctalopia (night blindness) is one of the first signs of VAD. Xerophthalmia, keratomalacia, and complete blindness can also occur since vitamin A has a major role in phototransduction. The three forms of vitamin A include retinols, beta-carotenes, and carotenoids. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, and is critical to achieving Millennium Development Goal 4 to reduce child mortality. About 250,000 to