Evaluation of Goiter Prevalence and Urinary Iodine Levels in Female Schoolchildren During Puberty in Urmia, West Azarbayjan

In spite of salt iodization program which began in Iran in 1989، there are controversies regarding the impact of iodine fortification in certain regions of the country such as West Azerbaijan province. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate urinary iodine excretion and the prevalence of goiter during puberty in female schoolchildren aged 10-17 years in Urmia city.

In this cross-sectional study، 500 female schoolchildren aged 10-17 years were enrolled by random cluster sampling from schools in different educational areas in Urmia. The schoolchildren were classified into 3 groups according to the puberty status: group 1: prepuberty (n=61); group 2: puberty (n=354) and group 3: post puberty (n=85). Urine iodine excretion and prevalence of goiter was evaluated.

The median urinary iodine excretion in groups 1-3 was 125 µg/L، 142 µg/L، and 170 µg/L، respectively. Prevalence of goiter in groups 1-3 was 3. 3%، 14. 6% and 8. 3%، respectively. The prevalence of goiter between group 1 and group 2 was statistically significant (P=0. 03). A significant positive correlation was found between age and urinary iodine excretion (P=0. 008).

This study revealed that 77. 2% of the studied population was iodine sufficient. The highest prevalence of goiter was seen in schoolchildren at puberty (14. 6%) reflecting the high metabolic rate، hormonal alteration during puberty as well as nutritional factors in particularly the demand for higher iodine intake.