Thyroid volume measurement by ultrasound in schoolchildren from mildly iodine-deficient area

Thyroid size was estimated by ultrasound and physical examination in 480 schoolchildren (238 boys and 242 girls), 7-14 years old, living in Tuzla Canton. By physical examination goiter was found in 13.5% (n=65) of subjects. When compared with the upper limits of the reference thyroid volumes reported by WHO and ICCIDD, goiter by ultrasonography was found in 12.9% (n=62) of all subjects. All goitrous children had a diffuse goiter. The differences in mean thyroid volumes between groups with and without goiter detected by physical examination were significant in all age groups (p<0.05). The results of ultrasound examinations correlate well with palpatory findings and show higher values for the thyroid volume in children with goiter. It generally confirms the values of the findings by palpation, even in areas with mild iodine deficiency.