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.
Censuses Child