Goiter survey and urinary iodine concentration in 7-10-year-old children, Mazandaran Province, 2001

Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a worldwide health problem. Parts of Iran , such as Mazandaran, had been known as endemic areas for goiter. IDD was accepted as a priority health problem in our country and a National IDD Council was formed in 1989. This study was performed to evaluate the National IDD Council program in 2001 among 7-10-year-old children in Mazandaran province.

In this cross sectional study, 1200 children (M/F ratio=1), aged 7-10 years, were selected and grading of goiter was performed in accordance to the WHO criteria. Urinary samples were obtained from 120 children and urinary iodine was measured using digestion method.

Total prevalence of goiter was 4%. The median urinary iodine was 16.5µg/dl. 82% had urinary iodine of more than 10µg/dl, while 3.3% had urinary iodine levels of <5µg/dl. None of the candidates has urinary iodine of less the 2µg/dl. There was no significant difference between sexes and urban or rural areas.

Results have revealed that the total prevalence of goiter has significantly decreased among children in Mazandaran province, meanwhile, urinary iodine concentration of children has reached to WHO approved rate. Thus, Mazandaran province could be classified among "iodine-deficiency-free" areas in Iran .