Iodized oil as a complement to iodized salt in schoolchildren in endemic goiter in Romania.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term efficacy and possible side effects of low doses of iodized oil on iodine nutrition and thyroid function in endemic goiter in Romania.


METHODS
Random selection of 214 schoolchildren aged 6-14 years. Serial measurements of urinary iodine, thyroid volume with ultrasound, serum concentrations of thyrotropin, free thyroxine, thyroglobulin and thyroid autoantibodies before and up to 2 years after the oral administration of 200 mg iodine in iodized oil.


RESULTS
Urinary iodine concentrations indicated a moderate iodine deficiency before therapy, sharply increased soon after therapy and slowly decreased thereafter but remained within the normal range up to more than 1 year after therapy. The prevalence of goiter was 29% before the administration of iodized oil and 9% 1 year later. Thyroid function tests and autoantibodies were normal before and up to 2 years after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
A single dose of 200 mg iodine from oral Lipiodol appears adequate and safe for correcting moderate iodine deficiency in children.
Simescu
M
M
Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.
Varciu
M
M
Nicolaescu
E
E
Gnat
D
D
Podoba
J
J
Mihaescu
M
M
Delange
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007455:Iodine / Q000652:urine; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012383:Romania; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D007459:Iodized Oil; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine