Surveillance for iodine deficiency disorders in areas at high risk in Xinjiang, 2014

Objective To understand the incidence of endemic cretinism and population nutrition status of iodine in area at high risk of iodine deficiency disorder(IDD) in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and provide scientific evidence for the development of IDD control strategy. Methods According to the national IDD surveillance protocol, the surveillance was conducted in areas at high risk for IDD in Xinjiang. Results The goiter rate was 1.19% and the median of urine iodine was 175.33g/L in children aged 8-10 years. The urine samples with iodine concentration less than 50g/L accounted for 5.88%. The median of urine iodine in pregnant women was 139.26g/L, and the urine samples with iodine concentration less than 50g/L accounted for 11.78%. Conclusion The iodine nutrition level was appropriate in children in the areas at high risk for IDD in Xinjiang, but the iodine nutrition level in women was lower than that in 2012. Only iodized salt intake may not be enough in housewives. It is necessary to continue the iodine supplementation in populations at risk for IDD.