Changes in thyroid morphology and function in children in western Poland as a result of intensified iodine prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the changes in thyroid pathology resulting from obligatory salt iodization in a group of children aged 8-12 years from the rural and urban areas of Wielkopolska Region, Poland.


METHODS
The survey was conducted on 1215 children, of both sexes, 402 of whom were examined in 1992 (before salt iodization), 408 in 2000, and 405 in 2005 (after salt iodization beginning in 1996). Thyroid ultrasound, urinary iodine, FT4, FT3, TSH and antithyroid antibodies were measured.


RESULTS
A significant drop in goiter cases was observed (35.4% in 1992 vs 6.3% in 2005), coupled with a marked increase of urinary iodine. There were also changes in ultrasonography and elevated levels of antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The study proves the high efficacy of iodine prophylaxis. Despite a growing number of children with elevated antithyroid antibody titers, only a slight increase of autoimmune thyroid disorders was observed.
Baczyk
Maciej
M
Department ofEndocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Diseases, Karol Marcinkowski University School of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
Ruchała
Marek
M
Pisarek
Marlena
M
Pietz
Leszek
L
Junik
Roman
R
Sowiński
Jerzy
J
Gembicki
Maciej
M
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006042:Goiter / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D015995:Prevalence; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine