Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
[Iodine nutrition in school children of four census areas of Chile]
S Muzzo1, M Burgueño, F Carvajal
1INTA Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Background:
Although endemic goiter is an easily controlled chronic disease, it continues to be a serious global public health problem.
Aim:
To study iodine nutrition in school age children from different areas of Chile.
Subjects And Methods:
Thyroid gland was palpated in 4181 school age children from Calama, Santiago, Temuco and Punta Arenas. Urinary iodine excretion was measured to 9% of these children and iodine concentration in salt for human consumption obtained in each of these areas was determined.
Results:
A 9% goiter prevalence in boys and 11% prevalence in girls was detected. The prevalence of goiter Ia was 6.5% and the figure in different geographic areas was similar. Iodine concentration in salt for human consumption was adequate according to Chilean legislation (82.6, 95.7, 96.8 and 93.2 micrograms ugI/g salt in Calama, Santiago, Temuco and Punta Arenas respectively). Urinary iodine excretion in boys and girls was 1695 and 1802 micrograms l/g creatinine in Calama, 680 and 732 in Santiago, 574 and 690 in Temuco, 570 and 528 in Punta Arenas. These values are well above recommendations.
Conclusions:
Endemic goiter is no longer a problem in Chile. The importance of a continuous surveillance of iodine nutrition in Chile and the reduction of salt iodine concentration required by Chilean legislation is underscored.
Related Concept Videos
Redox Titration: Iodimetry and Iodometry
Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention

