[The importance of optimal iodine intake, the present status and perspectives in Slovakia]

The concentration of iodine was estimated in 667 urine specimens of boys and girls aged 6-18 years from 5 regions of Slovakia. Only about a half of all values (i.e. 48.43%) was found in the optimum range of 10-20 micrograms/dl, while 40.43% of values wore in the range of iodine deficiency (i.e. less than 10 mu/dl). In addition, there were 10.64% of high values (ie. more than 20 micrograms/dl). These results show that the intake of iodine appears to be 3-4 times higher than before the start of iodine prophylaxis in about 1950, but it still does not reach the optimum level. The increase of iodine intake would be achieved by the replacement of iodide (KI) with iodate (KIO3) which is much more stable. This prevents the looses of iodine from the salt which represent 50 to 75 percent of the original level within 1 to 1 and a half year.