Prevalence of goitre in school-going children in Jabalpur

To determine the prevalence of goitre in school going children in Jabalpur city and critically evaluate clinical, biochemical and hormonal profile of goitrous children, 1205 children (800 boys and 405 girls) between 6 to 15 years of age were enrolled from 6 different schools located within the Jabalpur city limits. Conducting a Cross-sectional survey relevant family variables, eating habits (including type of salt used), anthropometry and general physical details were recorded in a pre-designed proforma. Thyroid gland was examined and graded as per standard technique. Spot urinary iodine excretion (UIE) of all goitrous children (n = 26) and randomly selected age and sex matched normal non-goitrous children (n = 63) was determined by dry-ashing method. Thyroid hormone profile of goitrous children was assessed by radio-immuno-assay. Student's t-test, z-test and proportionate test were employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the observations. It has been drawn a result that there was low prevalence of goitre in school going children of Jabalpur city. (2.4%, 26/1205). Girls had a higher prevalence (3.2%) than boys (1.6%), however the difference was statistically not insignificant. All goitrous children had small goitre (Grade I) 88.76% children had spot UIE > 100 mcg/l with as many as 13.4% having spot UIE > 150 mcg/l. No child had spot UIE < mcg/l. 11.23% of children had spot UIE of < 100 mcg/l with higher proportion of goitrous children (7/26, 26.92%) than the age matched, non-goitrous controls (3/63, 4.76%). The mean UIE of goitrous children was 109.6 +/- 22.1 mcg/l (range 80-150 mcg/l) and that of control children was 122.9 +/- 17.0 mcg/l (range 90-150 mcg/l). Thyroid hormone profile of goitrous children was in euthyroid range. Salt iodine content could not be done due to non-availability of kit. Jabalpur city is not endemic for iodine deficiency both by clinical as well biochemical criteria. The observed goitre cases are of sporadic variety.