Goiter prevalence in children in Lower and Middle Silesia (Wrocław--coordinating center)

As a part of the programme concerning iodine deficiency and iodine prophylaxis in Poland, 2518 children of age between 6 and 13 years, living in Lower and Middle Silesia, were studied. The anamnesis was based on a questionnaire answered by parents of the investigated children. The physical examination included measurements of body height and mass, clinical symptoms of thyroid functions as well as size and compactness of the thyroid gland on the basis of WHO classification. Urinary concentration of iodine was measured. The majority of children with goiter were inhabitants of mountainous villages. The goiter was most frequent in the age group 9-10 years. No significant differences in goiter incidence could be found between children consuming and not consuming iodized kitchen salt. The urinary concentration of iodine was low in all children examined. It was concluded that the territory of Lower and Middle Silesia is still a region of moderate endemic goiter. The urinary iodine concentrations is low in children living in Lower and Middle Silesia. The present system of iodine prophylaxis is not adequate and new measures should be urgently introduced.