[Endemic goiter in three census areas of Chile]

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the current status of endemic goiter in Chile. 3500 students of basic education from public schools in three censor areas of the country were studied: 1000 in Calam (North), 1000 in Temuco (South) and 1500 in Santiago (Center). Socio-economic level was evaluated according to the Graffar scale. Two trained physicians determined body weight, height and size of the goiter through palpation of the thyroid gland (according to W.H.O. classification). Iodine in urine was determined in 20% of the students. Iodine insalt was determined in samples obtained in the three areas. A goiter prevalence of goiter of 11.4% in males and 12% in females was found, with a higher prevalence in females during puberty. A higher prevalence in the medium-low and low socio-economical levels was observed (12.4% and 14.4% respectively). The level of salt iodination was variable in the three areas (1/3 with concentration > than 100 parts per million (ppm), 1/3 between 60-100 ppm and 1/3 with < 60 ppm of iodine content). According to W.H.O. criteria, Chile has presently a low goiter prevalence, but the salt iodine concentration indicate the importance of a permanent surveillance of iodine nutrition.