Endocrine Abstracts

Simple goiter is one of the most prevalent endocrine diseases all over the word. Iran and Khuzestan province were Endemic area for goiter before Iodine supplementation in 1990. This study was performed in 2002–2003, about 13 years after consumption of Iodized salt (40 ppm), to determine prevalence of goiter and urinary Iodine excretion in 1800 school children (6–10 years old) in Ahvaz, choosed by cluster sampling. Physical examination and goiter staging according to WHO criteria was done by a medical student trained in endocrine department. A questionnaire include: age, sex and Iodized salt consumption, was filled out for each person. Urinary Iodine excretion (by digestion method), was assessed in 75 person by random sampling. Thyroid function tests include: T3, T4, T3RU by RIA and TSH by IRMA method were assessed randomly in 75 person.52.5 percent of study group were male and 47.5 were female. 712 school children (39.6%) had goiter. (17.3% stage Ia, 18.4% Ib, 3.7% stage II). There were not any cases of stage III goiter. Prevalence was higher in girl, than boys (43.5% versus 35.9%) (P<0.005). 90.4 percent of study group consumed Iodized salts. Mean Urinary Iodine excretion was 31 μg/dl in normal children, 26 μg/dl in person with stage Ia. goiter, 21 μg/dl in Ib goiter and 14 μg/dl in stage II goiter. Urinary Iodine was significantly higher in normal children than children with goiters stage Ib or Il. 9.3% of studied persons had urinary Iodine excretion lower than 10 μg/dl, 18.7% between 10–20 μg/dl and 72%had urinary iodine more than 20 μg/dl.Mean T4 in normal and goiterous person was 7.7 versus 8.02 μg/dl, mean T3 184 versus 186 ng/ml, mean TSH 32% versus 33% and mean TSH 2.5 versus 3.4 miu/ml, of them only TSH had significant difference in normal and goiterous persons (P<0.01).

Conclusion: After 13 years consumption of iodized salt, although more than 90% of studied persons had urinary iodine excretion more than 10 μg/dl, goiter has high prevalence (39.6%) in study group. There for other goitrogens and higher iodine supplementation dose should be studied in this area.