Prevalence of goiter in school-age children in the Pirque Zone. Effects of salt iodination
Téllez, R.; Michaud, P.
Revista Medica de Chile 124(10): 1207-1210
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 9239908 Document Number: 459021
Twenty years ago, Pirque was a zone with a goiter prevalence of 39%. To assess the effects of salt iodination on the prevalence of goiter in school-age children of this zone. School age children from four public schools in Pirque were examined, following WHO criteria for the diagnosis of goiter. Urinary iodine excretion was also measured. Five hundred ninety one males and 298 females aged 12.1 +/- 2.5 years were examined. Fifty seven children (9.6%) bad goiter. In 53 the goiter was grade I and in 4, grade II. No sex differences were observed. Minimal and median urinary iodine excretion values were 12.6 and 57.6 micrograms/dl respectively. Goiter prevalence dropped from 39 to 10%. The fact that iodine intake is over minimal recommendations, underscores the effectiveness of salt iodination.