[Occurrence of goiter, urinary iodine excretion and TSH in neonates in the Tuzla Canton].

Goiter frequency and urinary iodine excretion levels were assessed in schoolchildren, aged 7-15 years, living in Tuzla Canton. Goiter frequency was evaluated by clinical examination and ultrasound of the thyroid gland. Goiter by inspection and palpation was found in 19.1% of all subjects, in 19.8% of girls and 18.4% of boys. With regard to updated reference values for thyroid volume reported by WHO and ICCIDD, goiter by ultrasonography was found in 12.9% (n = 62) of all subjects (n = 480). Median urinary iodine was 71.0 micrograms/L. Mild iodine deficiency is observed in Tuzla Canton, based on goiter frequency and urinary iodine excretion. Neonatal TSH results, obtained in the programme of the neonatal thyroid screening, were also analyzed. The frequency of neonatal TSH above 5 mU/L was 12.0% indicating, as two other indicators, mild degree of iodine deficiency in this region. The results underline the inefficacy of iodine prophylaxis with 10 mg K1 per kg of salt in correcting iodine deficiency. On the basis of the study, carried out in the rest of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the new regulation was proclaimed in 2001 requiring 20-30 mg of iodine per kg of salt.