Thyroid volume of children aged 8−10 years in Guangzhou after reduction of iodine concentration in salt

Objective To understand the status of thyroid volume of children aged 8−10 years in Guangzhou after the reduction of iodine concentration in salt, and provide evidence for the evaluation of the performance of iodine deficiency disorder prevention and treatment and the development of the prevention and treatment measures.

Methods A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select the primary schools in the urban area, suburban area and outer suburbs of Guangzhou, and the children aged 8−10 years in each school selected were surveyed.

Results The median of thyroid volume of children aged 8−10 years in Guangzhou was 3.53 ml. The thyroid volume varied in age groups and increased with age. The prevalence rate of endemic goiter was 3.92% in children aged 8−10 years in Guangzhou, the difference in the rate was not significant compared with that before the reduction of iodine concentration in salt. There were differences in the prevalence rate of endemic goiter among children in different age groups.

Conclusion Overall, the thyroid volume of children aged 8−10 years in Guangzhou was in normal range. The prevalence rate of endemic goiter was low. The iodine nutrition of children was still in good status after the reduction of iodine concentration in salt.