Evaluation of endemic goiter prevalence in Bulgarian schoolchildren: results from national strategies for prevention and control of iodine-deficiency disorders.
Iodine deficiency is a major health problem worldwide. The environment of the Balkan countries, including Bulgaria, is distinguished for its low iodine content. In 1994, the strategies for the prevention and control of iodinedeficiency disorders were actualized in Bulgaria and universal salt iodization and supplementation for the risk population groups (schoolchildren, pregnant women) were introduced. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the iodine prophylaxis in schoolchildren, living in an endemic for goiter area after the introduction of salt iodization in Bulgaria. For this purpose, the goiter prevalence and iodine status in 483 schoolchildren (274 boys and 209 girls) aged between 8 and 15 yr, living in an endemic for goiter area in Bulgaria were evaluated. Despite the normalization of iodine supply, mild iodine deficiency on the basis of goiter prevalence (16.15%) and urinary iodine excretion was found. These data indicate the need for reevaluation of the national strategy for prevention of iodine deficiency.
Gatseva
Penka
P
Deptartment of Hygiene and Ecomedicine, Medical University, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Vladeva
Stefka
S
Argirova
Mariana
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002031:Bulgaria; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D012492:Salts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology
D012492:Salts; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D007455:Iodine