Iodine deficiency: current status

One of the priorities of health care in most countries is the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). About two billion people live in areas of natural iodine deficiency. It is known that insufficient intake of iodine in utero and in early childhood is the greatest danger. Changes caused by iodine deficiency in these periods of life manifest in irreversible defects of intellectual and physical development. However, the entire spectrum of IDD is wide and extends from reproductive disorders to specific thyroid diseases. According to the World Health Organization (UNICEF), in 96 countries with iodine deficiency are already laws and regulations on mandatory salt iodization, only 13 countries do not have the law, including Russia. It is proved that the Russian population continues to live in conditions of uncompensated iodine deficiency. In this connection it is extremely relevant conduct mass iodine prophylaxis and individual using preparations containing a physiological dose of iodine (such as Jodomarin) in high-risk groups on a statutory basis.