title: [National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw: an initiator of iodine prophylaxis].
abstract: A well defined goiter area in Southern Poland has been known since 19th century. An iodine prophylaxis program initiated by the National Institute of Hygiene was realized in Krakow province and introduce at the level of 5 mg KI/kg of table salt in 1935. The program brought positive health results; the percentage of goitrous inhabitants of Southern Poland decreased. The goiter prophylaxis was suspended during the Second World War. After the war in the years 1945-46 epidemiological studies confirmed high incidence of goiter, especially in the Carpathian region. As the result of these investigations KI salt supplementation started in 1947. High goiter incidence was still noted, that is why the KI supplementation was intensified from the level of 3 to 30 mg/kg. Observed cases of severe iodine deficiency disorders disappeared and goiter in Southern Poland became mild. The National Institute of Hygiene carried out in early 90's investigations on the KI content in market samples of fortified salt. The results of these studies showed that the technological process of salt iodization was not proper; the concentration of KI in salt samples collected in Krakow province, i.e. territory of endemic iodine deficiency in the environment--was lower then recommended. Also the observed unsatisfactory clinical results of the iodine prophylaxis forced to correct the preventive action.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Higieny i Ekologii, Collegium Medicum UJ, Kraków.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lutyński
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000266:history; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000266:history* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006296:Health Services / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006920:Hygiene / Q000266:history; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011044:Poland; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000266:history*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D007455:Iodine