[Role of iodine and manganese in the etiology of endemic goiter in the Martuksk region of the Aktubinsk district].

Iodine deficiency in the external environment served as the main etiological factor of endemic goiter. Low iodine content in the soil (1.8-390 mg/kg) undoubtedly served as the cause of endemic goiter development. Water from the sources of the Martuksk district contained iodine in low concentration. Soils of the Martuksk district are characterized by an acute deficiency of mobile manganese. Manganese concentration in the arable soil layer (16.9-75.4 mg/kg) was regarded as reduced, this being characteristic of the foci of goiter endemia. Water manganese content (from 66 to 186 microgram/1, 99.45 +/- 10.6 microgram/1, on the average) was below the maximal permissible concentrations indicated in the International standard for drinking water. Iodine, manganese content in the soil, food products and in the water of the Martuksk district of the Aktyubinsk region indicated a reverse relationship between iodine and manganese content and the extent of endemic goiter spread.