Iodine provision monitoring in schoolchildren of puberty in the Miminsk ulus, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Abstract

The prevalence of iodine deficiencies and the incidence of goiter were studied in children of puberty in the Mirninsk ulus, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in 1999. Changes in these parameters were assessed by comparing the findings with the data obtained in 1991-1993. The size of the thyroid and its structure were deter­mined by palpation and ultrasound study; the levels of iodine were measured in water, single and daily urine. Natural iodine deficiency was shown to be one of the most significant causes of formation of a focus of goiter endemia in the Mirninsk ulus. The prevalence of second and thirddegree goiter among children showed a 1.6-fold decrease in 1999 as compared with that in 1991-1993. There was an increase in the median of ioduria from 63 y.g/1 to 153 \xg/l. Despite positive changes, the enlarged thy­roid was found in 13% of the examined children, as shown by ul­trasound study.