Prevention of Iodine-deficiency Induced Goiter and Brain Damage in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Screening، identification and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is an important milestone in healthcare associated achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following reports of research findings documented by the Endocrine Research Center and the Institute of Nutrition، iodine deficiency was declared to be an important health priority of the country. A quick survey in 1989 showed goiter hyperendemia in 8 Iranian provinces and endemia in the remaining. Further studies showed severe iodine deficiency، along with drastic alterations in physical and psychological growth، delayed psychomotor age، decrease IQ، decreased auditory threshold and hypothyroidism in schoolchildren of many villages north of Tehran، all of which forced authorities to implement a rapid nationwide preventive program. Salt factories initiated salt iodization and nationwide health education strategies were adopted and implemented. National monitoring of goiter prevalence and urinary iodine excretion of school-children every 5 years since has shown complete success of programs implemented for appropriate iodine nutrition in Iran during the last two decades. It is estimated that an annual prevention of 500، 000 newborn with iodine deficiency has been achieved annually، along with the the prevention in the occurrence of 20 million goiters and at least 60 million degrees IQ added to the IQs of Iranian children and adolescents.