Prevalencia de bocio en escolares de la zona de Pirque: efecto de la yodación de la sal / Prevalence of goiter in school children at Pirque: effects of salt iodination

ABSTRACT

Twenty years ago, Pirque was a zone with a goiter prevalence of 39 percent, to assess the effects of salt iodination on the prevalence of goiter, school age children from 4 public schools of Pirque, were examined, following WHO criteria for the diagnosis of goiter. Urinary iodine excretion was also measured. Five hundred ninety one males and 298 females aged 12.1ñ2.5 years were examined. Fifty seven children (9.6 percent) had goiter. In 53, the goiter was grade I and in 4, grade II. No sex differences were observed. Minimal and median urinary iodine excretion values were 12.6 and 57.6 ug/dll respectively. In conclusion, goiter prevalence dropped from 39 to 10 percent. The fact that iodine intake is over minimal recommendations, underscores the effectiveness of salt iodination