[Urinary excretion of iodide and incidence of goiter in Styria--studies 20 years after the introduction of compulsory iodinated salt prophylaxis].

20 years after introduction of iodized salt prophylaxis by law in Austria the iodine supply of 6 to 19 year-old school children in Styria was examined. In this study we compared the goitre incidence and urine iodine excretion in children from regions with low iodine intake (locations Graz and Oberwölz) with those of an area where iodine supply was augmented by drinking local iodine containing mineral water (area of Sicheldorf). A modified ceric ion arsenate method was applied for determining urinary iodine excretion. Both in the city of Graz and the rural locality of Oberwölz there still exists an iodine deficiency, grade I (Urine iodine excretion of 50 and 65 micrograms I/g Cr respectively). The goitre incidence in 6 to 10 year olds in Graz amounted to only 4%, while Oberwölz records 8%. This figure in juveniles was relatively high already with 12% in Graz and 15% in Oberwölz. The age group of 15 to 19 years at the Graz secondary school showed a goitre incidence of 12%. The results of the 6 to 10 year olds in the Sicheldorf area recorded a goitre incidence of 4%. Urinary iodine excretion in Sicheldorf: 132,64 micrograms J/g Kre.