Goiter survey and urinary iodine concentration in 8 to 10-year-old schoolchildren from Fars Province in 1996

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute a worldwide health problem. Many parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran had been known as areas of endemic goiter. IDD was accepted as a priority health problem in the country, and a National IDD Council was formed in 1989, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. One of the main strategies of National council for IDD control was to provide at least 150 μg of iodine per day to the entire population through making iodized salt available. This study was performed to evaluate the National IDD Council program in 1996, in rural and urban areas of Fars province. 1350 schoolchildren, aged 8 to 10 years, including 50% girls and 50% boys, were selected through random sampling. Grading of goiter was performed according to WHO classification. Serum T3 and T4 were measured by RIA and uninary iodine by digestion method. The mean serum T4 and T3 were: 10.0±1.4 μg/dl, and 141±18 ng/dl, respectively. There were no differences between males and females and schoolchildren of rural or urban areas. Five persons had serum T4 more than 12.5 μg/dl. The mean urinary iodine was 30 μg/dl in entire population, 89% had urinary iodine more than 10 μg/dl. Only 4% had urinary iodine less than 5 μg/dl. Total prevalence of goiter was 68% (69% in girls and 66% in boys). Based on the available data, seven years after generalized use of iodized salt and 2 years after the use of iodized salt by more than 50% of pupulation, urinary iodine in schoolchildren of Fars province is in acceptable range. However, goiter is still hyperendemic in Fars province.