Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the South of Iran during 1989-2012: A Surveillance System Report

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. Consequences of IDD include goiter, hypothyroidism, and intellectual disability followed by retarded growth and development of the brain. This report aimed to determine the state of IDD in Fars province, south of Iran. In this study, we gathered data from all scientific papers, published and unpublished reports of IDD surveillance system, results of IDD-related surveys and all data from the center for disease control (CDC) at provincial and national levels during 1989-2012. Five main IDD indices are summarized, interpreted, and then organized in graphs and tables. Resuits: After formation of national committee of IDD followed by launching of extensive iodine delivery, most of IDD indices have improved. The percentage of iodized salt intake has increased from 0 to near 100%, and that of salt with adequate amount of iodine has increased to 94.5%. Median of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) has always been higher than the acceptable value (≥100 μg/L) and 68% of people had a mean of UIC ≥100 μg/L. The percentage of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) >5 mU/L in the screened newborns has persistently been less than 1% during 2005-11. Prevalence of goiter has declined from 68% in 1989 to 1.3% in 2007. Present findings address those efforts to combat iodine deficiency which were effective. According to the small sample size and also the fact that some data have been derived at the national level, we recommend that a comprehensive population-based survey should be carried out with sufficient sample size to achieve information with high accuracy and precision.