Iodized salt consumption, urinary iodine concentration and prevalence of goiter in children from four districts of north-western Poland (Szczecin coordinating center).

The study was aimed at evaluation of iodized salt consumption, urinary iodine concentration and incidence of goiter in children from four districts of north-western Poland: Szczecin, Koszalin, Słupsk and Gorzów Wlkp. The study was a part of the national programme: "Investigations of iodine deficite and iodine prophylaxis in Poland". The investigations were performed in ten schools randomly selected by Coordinating Centre in Kraków. Altogether 1793 children attending these schools (838 boys and 955 girls) of age between 6 ad 13 years, living in the cities and villages of coastal and lowland region were studied. The examination included interview in the form of a standard questionnaire, physical examination of the thyroid according to the WHO criteria, ultrasonographic evaluation of thyroid volume and determination of iodine concentration in single urine specimen. It appeared that only 11.2% of children used to consume iodized salt. Mean iodine concentration in urine was 76.2 micrograms/l both in children consuming and not consuming iodized salt, indicating dietary iodine deficiency. The incidence of goiter in country population of children (12.9%), indicated that the region of north-western Poland should be considered as an area of mild goiter endemy. These results suggest a need for iodine supplementation of edible salt in this region of Poland.