Benefits and risks from the national strategy for improvement of iodine nutrition in Bulgaria: study on schoolchildren living in a rural area.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of iodine prophylaxis in schoolchildren, living in a rural area in South Bulgaria, after the introduction of salt iodization.


METHODS
The study subjects were 114 schoolchildren (59 boys and 55 girls), aged 11-14 years, living in a rural area in Bulgaria. Urinary iodine concentration was used as an index of iodine intake. The iodine level in table salt used in the children's households was also monitored.


METHODS
Iodine concentration was measured by the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. The iodine content of samples of table salt was determined by redox titration.


RESULTS
The median urinary iodine concentration of the inspected schoolchildren was >200 microg/l, which indicates that iodine intake is more than adequate. An unfavourable result of the study was that 52.6% of the schoolchildren had more than adequate or excessive iodine intake. The hypothesis that this iodine overload may be due to poorly controlled salt iodization was confirmed by monitoring the iodine content in samples of table salt; three of six specimens contained iodine above the recommended level.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the results indicated that the national strategy has had a positive effect on iodine-deficiency disorders, excessive iodization during the production of table salt and excessive consumption may be potential risks for the development of thyroid-related diseases.
Gatseva
P D
PD
Department of Hygiene, Ecology and Epidemiology, Medical University, 15a Vassil Aprilov Street, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. gatseva_p@mail.bg
Argirova
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MD
D000293:Adolescent; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
D017613:Iodine Compounds; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine