[Determination of urine iodine in school children in iodine deficiency disorders areas].

Twenty-four-hour urine iodine and afternoon casual urine iodine were determined in children aged 7-14 years grouped into A, B, C, and D at two-year interval in the areas where iodized salt prophylaxis had been instituted. Results showed there was no significant difference between urine iodine values expressed in median of microgram/g Cr x creatinine coefficient and in microgram/24 hr, and the former was considered to reflect the real iodine value in urine. Urine iodine in children of groups C and D (older) was greater than of A and B (younger). Urine iodine reached the lower limit only in 51.2% of the children aged 13-14 years in Heba Township where iodized salt prophylaxis was instituted, with 75 micrograms iodine intake daily as lower limit. It suggested iodine deficiency remained a problem in that area.