Abstract

Introduction: The iodine deficiency elimination program, which began two decades ago, has resulted in Iran becoming an Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) free country in the Middle-East region. This study was performed to evaluate the adequacy of iodine supplementation after 17 years of universal salt iodization in the province of Qazvin. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 1200 schoolchildren (600 girls and 600 boys), aged 8 to 10 years, were randomly selected from Qazvin province, and evaluated in 2007. Goiter prevalence, urinary iodine excretion and iodine content of household salts were measured and the data obtained were compared with those obtained in 1996 and 2001. Results: Total prevalence of goiter was 0.8% and no grade 2 goiter was seen. One-tenth of the children enrolled for goiter assessment, were randomly selected for urinary iodine measurement. The median urinary iodine in these 120 schoolchildren was 151 µg/L, with 4% having urinary iodine excretion less than 50µg/L. Sixty-six percent of households were using purified iodized salt, 65% of households had appropriate salt storage, and 30% of the household salts contained less than 15 µg iodide. Conclusion: Goiter prevalence has significantly decreased in Qazvin province, 17 years after universal salt iodization.  Similar to reports from 1996 and 2001, the median urinary iodine of schoolchildren was adequate, indicating a well established sustainable IDD program in Iran.