ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate iodine daily intake in 5-14 year-old school children urinary iodine excretion was measured in morning urinary samples of 134 school children. This value was corrected to microgram/ 24 h according to Jolin and Escobar del Rey's formula. Thyroid size was evaluated by two expert examiners following WHO criteria. Coincidence between both examiners was indispensable to establish goiter diagnosis. We evaluated urinary samples of 134 school children (117 normal and 17 goitrous). Urinary iodine excretion mean values were significantly different between Normal: 140.04 +/- 86.28 micrograms/24 h and Goitrous: 98.24 +/- 47.91 micrograms 24 h; p < 0.005). Goiter prevalence was found to diminish significantly when urinary iodine excretion was greater than 150 micrograms/24 h (p < 0.05). Similar mean urinary iodine excretion was observed in different socioeconomic groups. No significant differences were detected in the evaluation of two most common salt trademark consumer groups. In conclusion 1) iodoprophylaxis efficacy was assessed by urinary iodine excretion, a valid means to estimate iodine intake. Acceptable mean levels of iodine intake were found in the group under study, but the individual variability was important; 2) goitrous schoolchildren showed an iodine intake lower than normal and 3) the important variability observed in the evaluated data, the assessed relation between goiter and lower iodine intake, and the high frequency of insufficient iodine intake should justify a better control of iodoprophylaxis and a more widespread information dissemination among the population and perhaps iodine supplements in specific groups.
