The prevalence of goiter and urinary iodine exertion in school-aged children in Sistan-Balouchestan

Background: Iodine deficiency and disorders resulting from it has long been recognized as a
grave nutritional health concern. Sistan and Baluchestan Province, in studies conducted prior to
Iodine dispensation, was among the regions with high prevalence of endemic goiter in Iran.
Methods and Materials: 1200 schoolchildren, aged 7-10 years, were selected randomly from all
regions of Sistan-Balouchestan, and the grade of goiter, in 600 boys and 600 girls, was determined
according to WHO classification. Urinary iodine content was estimated using the digestion method
in one tenth of the schoolchildren.
Results: Total goiter rate was 33.3 %, 31.2 % in girls and 35.3% in boys. Median urinary iodine
was 19.8 μg/dl. Urinary iodine was above 10 μg/dl in 84.4 % and less than 5 μg/dl in 5.1%, no one
had urinary iodine below 2 μg/dl. UIC levels and goiter prevalence were not statistically different
between boys and girls and also between urban and rural areas.
Conclusions: It is concluded that the rate of goiter in Sistan-Balouchestan has decreased
significantly since 1996 and urinary iodine levels in schoolchildren are indicative of adequate
iodine intake based on WHO desirable level: Sistan-Balouchestan province therefore can be
considered an” iodine deficiency free” zone.