Assessment of the iodine deficiency severity in the population by serum thyrotropin levels in newborns

The problem of iodine deficiency (ID) and its adverse effects on the Ukrainian population, especially on children, pregnant and lactating women, does not lose its relevance. The aim. To assess the state of iodine status of the Northern Bukovіna population by the level of thyrotropin (TSH) in newborns during the years 2015–2020. Methods. Selective screening analysis to determine the serum level of TSH in newborns during 2015–2020 (a total of 47888 results), median ioduria and survey among pregnant women, determination of urinary iodine, ultrasonographic and hormonal profiles of 199 prepubertal children living in Northern Bukovina were performed. Results. During the analyzed period, there was a positive trend: the median ioduria in pregnant women increased from 89.8 μg/l in 2015 to 140.1 μg/l in 2020, the level of neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia above 5 μIU/l decreased to 5 % in 2020 (P < 0.001), there was an upward trend in the median ioduria among prepubertal children (60.4 ± 9.3 μg/l). The frequency of goiter was different and accounted for 25.3 % among children living in the mountainous area and it was much lower among children living in the plain areas and in Chernivtsi (15.6 % and 13.1 %, respectively, P < 0.05). Thyromegaly among children of the reference group occurred in 15.1 %. 12.3 % of children were characterized by TSH in the range of age standards, which were shifted towards its increase (4.23–5.00 μIU/l). Conclusions. The increase in the median ioduria and the decrease in the frequency of neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia above 5 μIU/l on the background of iodine supply has been found in the pregnant population. The indicator of neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia above 5 μIU/l can be used to assess iodine deficiency only in the population of pregnant women.