Iodine support for children in the south of the central Black sea region of Russia

A total of 1419 children aged 5-14 years living in 4 agricultural regions of the Central Russia (in Southern Belgorod and Central Western Voronezh regions) were examined in August 1997 within the framework of Program of the UN International Childhood Foundation, WHO, and its International Committee for Iodine Deficiency Diseases Control “Thyroid: Standardized Analysis of Iodine Supply in Europe”. Standard sampling in each region consisted of 10 subgroups for each year of life, 35-36 subjects per subgroup, with equal number of boys and girls. Iodine was measured in the morning urine by the cerium arsenite method. The parents were interviewed about nutrition using universal questionnaires. Slight iodine deficiency was detected in the region, the median of ioduria varying from 69 to 86 mcg/liter. Renal iodine excretion below the threshold normal value (<100 mcg/liter) was detected in 63% children. In girls the trace element excretion was significantly (10%) higher than in boys. A three-phase age-specific pattern of intensity of iodine loss with urine was detected, characterized by minimal values at the age of 6-11 years and two peaks with significantly higher ioduria at 5 and 12-14 years. Consumption of sea fish influenced iodine supply parameters only if it was regular and sufficiently frequent, at least 6 times a month. However, only less than 5% examined families ate sea fish regularly, and still less (only 2%) families used iodinated salt. Dairy products do not affect iodine status of children. The results prompt the necessity of introducing a state program of iodine prophylaxis in Southern European Russia.