The analyze of study on the condition iodine deficiency disorders in the high risk area of Tibet to focus groups in 2007

Objective To propose prevention and control strategy against iodine deficiency disorders to prevent new cases of endemic cretinism from occurring. Methods In April and August 2007, all the suspected cretinism patients born after the first of January, 1997 were searched for in 16 counties from Lhasa, Shannan, Nyingchi, Qamdo and Xigaze. Meanwhile, 60 children aged 8-10 years were selected in each of the two rural villages of each county chosen. Goiter was examined using palpation and B-ultrasound, urinary iodine was determined, inteligence quotient(IQ) was tested; 30 women of childbearing age from each village chosen underwent urinary iodine test and household salt semi-quantitative detection. Results No new cases of endemic cretinism had been found; Palpation identified goiter at 4.5% (257/5680) in children, B-ultrasound revealed a rate of 4.7% (258/5433). Median of urinary iodine was 159.4 μg/L, the averaged IQ was 78.3±14.5; women of childbearing age had a median urinary iodine of 70.2 μg/L. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 52.8%. Conclusions Goiter rate in children, urinary iodine level meet the standard set for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders; however, the low IQ children, low coverage of iodized salt and the level of urinary iodine in women of childbearing age are less than desirable. Iodine deficiency disorders prevention and control need to be strengthened. Key words: Iodine;  Deficiency diseases;  Intelligence tests;  Data collection