Continuous Adequate Iodine Supplementation in Fars Province: The 2007 Goiter and Urinary Iodine Excretion Survey in Schoolchildren

Background: The iodine deficiency elimination program thatbegan two decades ago resulted in Iran becoming an iodinedeficiency disorders free country in the Middle East region.The present study was performed to evaluate the adequacy ofiodine supplementation after 17 years of universal salt iodizationin Fars province.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 1200 schoolchildren (480girls and 720 boys) aged 8 to10 years, were randomly selectedfrom Fars province and evaluated in 2007. Goiter prevalence,urinary iodine excretion, and iodine content of household saltswere measured and the data were compared with those obtainedin 1996 and 2001.Results: Total prevalence of goiter was 1.3% (CI: 0.53-2.47)and no grade 2 goiter was found. One-tenth of the childrenenrolled for goiter assessment, were randomly selected forurinary iodine measurement. The median urinary iodine inthese 120 schoolchildren was 159.4 μg/L (85.6-252.3), with14.8% having urinary iodine excretion less than 50 μg/L. 98%of households were using purified iodized salt. 70% of householdshad appropriate salt storage and none of the householdsalts contained less than 15 μg iodide.Conclusion: Goiter prevalence has significantly decreased inthe Fars province, 17 years after universal salt iodization. Themedian urinary iodine of schoolchildren was adequate as thatreported in 1996 and 2001, indicating a well established sustainableiodine deficiency elimination program in the province.