[Iodine deficiency in the Carpathian endemic region and iodine prophylaxis in Southern Poland].

The improvement of the health status of the population of Southern Poland resulted in great extend from the introduction of table salt iodination in 1935. This prophylaxis caused a decrease of serious iodine deficiency disorders. Twice was the salt fortification process interrupted (1939-1945 and 1980-1986); and this brought the increase of goiter incidence in the population. Laboratory examinations of water and food samples coming from goiter endemic area of Southern Poland presented a low iodine level. The unsatisfactory clinical results of the iodine prophylaxis and the unstable concentration of KI in salt, force to correct the previous action. Apart of the epidemiological studies to be performed in order to establish the optimal dose of KI in table salt, the improvement of the iodination technique and subsequent laboratory control of KI concentration in salt-is urgently needed. The fortification process should be not only restricted to table salt, but also the industrial salt used in the food production ought to be iodinated. Nutrition education should be strengthen to convince the population to use iodized salt in household food production.