Projects
Albania
Iodine Deficiency
Albania is an iodine deficient country. This leads to a variety of problems including stillbirth, abnormalities in newborn, and learning problems in children. There will be a general significant lowering of ability of a population in the worst hit areas.
CAI’s most recent study looked at whether a dose of iodine given to iodine deficient children improves their intellectual performance. This study has now been completed satisfactorily and the results of the study will be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition later this year (or early next year). The results will affect the care of children not only in Albania but worldwide.
We are planning to distribute iodine capsules to school children in the study area in the next few weeks.
Advocacy
We will continue to press the government to deal with the problem and hope that they will follow up their recent request asking for help from the International Network for the sustained elimination of iodine deficiency.
Read 'Severe Iodine Deficiency in Southern Albania'
Zimmermann M B, Bridson J, Bozo M, Grimici L, Selimaj V, Tanner M S.
Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 73 (5), July 2003 © Hogrefe & Huber Publishers
Read 'Iodine supplementation improves cognition in iodine-deficient schoolchildren in Albania: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study'
Michael B Zimmermann, Kevin Connolly, Maksim Bozo, John Bridson, Fabian Rohner, and Lindita Grimci
Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:108 –14
Read 'Treatment of Iodine Deficiency in School-Age Children Increases Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I and IGF Binding Protein-3 Concentrations and Improves Somatic Growth'
Michael B. Zimmermann, Pieter L. Jooste, Ngoako Solomon Mabapa, Xikombiso Mbhenyane, Serina Schoeman, Ralf Biebinger, Noureddine Chaouki, Maksim Bozo, Lindita Grimci, and John Bridson
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 92(2):437–442
ESS-EMCH
The next project may be the introduction of Emergency Surgical Skills with an emphasis on Maternal and Child health training (ESSEMCH) - see the information linked to this page. This project is in the early planning phase.
Poverty
Albania is gradually becoming more stable and a little less poor. Our interventions there are still needed. This has been made clear by the Albanian Ministry of Health.
Help fundraise for our Albania projects
Newsletters
IDD Newsletter
International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency.
