EFFECTS OF IODIZED SALT INTERVENTION ON THE NORMALIZATION OF ENLARGED THYROID GLAND AND IODINE NUTRITION OF CHILDREN DUE TO IODINE DEFICIENCY

[Objective]To evaluate the effects of Iodized salt intervention on the normalization of enlarged thyroid gland and iodine nutrition of children.[Methods]100 households with children aged 8-10 were selected and given free iodized salt with an iodine concentration of 20-60 mg/kg for 12 months;urinary iodine content was measured at baseline and 1,2, 3,6,9,12 and 18 months thereafter,and thyroid volume was measured by ultrasound at baseline and the 12th and 18th months.[Results]The urinary iodine median was 200-300 μg/L during given iodized salt and declined to 112.5 μg/L after stopping iodized salt;the prevalence of goiter was 35.6% at baseline and declined to less than 5% after 12 months,and to 2.2% 18 months thereafter.[Conclusion]In this sample of children with initially moderate level of IDD,receiving iodized salt with an iodine concentration of 20-60 mg/kg assure the iodine nutrition;it helps the recovery from iodine deficiency on the sizes of thyroid indicators after 12-18 months;the thyroid indicators are hysteresis compared with urinary iodine.