Iodine Nutritional Status and Goiter Rates in Children Aged 8-10 Years Before and After Universal Salt Iodization in Shanghai

Objective To assess the iodine nutritional status and goiter rate of the children aged 8-10 years in response to the introduction of universal salt iodization (USI) in Shanghai.

Methods Based on the national surveillance data of salt io dization in 2002-2014 and iodine deficiency disorders in 1995-2014 in Shanghai, we analyzed 8-to 10-year-old children's iodine nutritional status and goiter rates in Shanghai before and after the USI.

Results Shanghai launched an USI policy in April 1996. The iodine contents of retail iodine salt products from both manufacturers/wholesalers and households were within the national standard in 2002-2014. The median urine iodine concentrations of children were 72.3 μg/L and 52.2 μg/L for urban and rural areas respectively in 1995 and 151.0-198.1 μg/L in 2002-2014. Childhood thyroid goiter rates were all < 1% in 2004-2014.

Conclusion Appropriate iodine nutrition levels and low goiter rates are identified among the children in Shanghai after the USI policy.