Analysis of the iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 and pregnant women in Shaanxi Province in 2019 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:This study aims to provide scientific evidence for prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders through monitoring the iodine nutrition status of children and pregnant women in Shaanxi Province.Methods:Totally 110 counties (cities, districts) in Shaanxi Province in 2019 were surveyed. Each of the counties (cities, districts) was further divided into five sampled regions along five different geographic directions east, west, south, north and middle. From each region, one town was selected and then one primary school was selected from each town. Finally, there were a total of 42 non-boarding students aged 8 - 10 years old (age and gender balanced) selected from each school, who would be tested household salt iodine's level and urinary iodine's level. Also, we did the same test for 21 pregnant women who were selected from each town randomly. Additionally, we examined the children's thyroid by B-scan ultrasonograph in 39 counties (cities, districts).Results:A total of 23 101 salt and urine samples were collected from children aged 8 - 10 years old, the average of salt iodine content of the children' family was (24.07 ± 3.71) mg/kg; the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.55% (22 536/23 101); the median urinary iodine was 211.68 μg/L; and the thyroid goiter rate (TGR) was 1.50% (123/8 191). A total of 11 555 salt and urine samples from pregnant women were collected, the salt iodine content was (24.05 ± 3.66) mg/kg; and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.57% (11 274/11 555); the median urinary iodine was 182.74 μg/L.Conclusions:In 2019, the iodine nutrition of children in Shaanxi Province is in the super appropriate level, and the iodine nutrition of pregnant women is appropriate. The iodine content of edible salt can be adjusted. It is suggested that pregnant women should be supplied special iodized salt.