IODINE NUTRITION IN SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN O F 4 CENSORIAL AREAS OF CHILE

Background: Although endemic goiter is an easily controlled chronic di sease, it continues to be a serious global public health problem. Aim: To study iodize nutrition in school age children from different areas of Chile. Subjects and methods: Thyroid gland was palpated in 4181 sc hool age children from Calama, Santiago, Temuco and Punta Arenas. Urin ary iodine excretion was measured to 9% of these children and iodine c oncentration in salt for human consumption obtained in each of these a reas was determined. Results: A 9% goiter prevalence in boys and 11% p revalence in girls was detected. The prevalence of goiter Ia was 6.5% and the figure in difference geographic areas was similar. Iodine conc entration in salt for human consumption was adequate according to Chil ean legislation (82.6, 95.7, 96.8 and 93.2 mu g ugI/g salt in Calama, Santiago, Temuco aid Punta Arenas respectively). Urinary iodine excret ion in boys and girls was 1695 and 1802 ug I/g creatinine in Calama, 6 80 and 732 in Santiago, 574 and 690 in Temuco, 570 and 528 in Punta Ar enas. Thee values are well above recommendations. Conclusions: Endemic goiter is no longer a problem in Chile. The importance of a continuou s surveillance of iodine nutrition in Chile and the reduction of salt iodine concentration required by Chilean legislation is underscored.