REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .
[Effects of three different iodine interventions on the speed of normalization of enlarged thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency].
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of three different iodine interventions on the speed of normalization of enlarged thyroid gl and . METHODS Schoolchildren aged 8 - 10 years were r and omized divided into one of three groups : group A was given iodized salt by research ers with an iodine concentration of 25 mg/kg ; group B used iodized salt purchased from the market ; and group C was similar to group B with additional intake of iodized oil capsules containing 400 mg iodine at the beginning of the study . Salt iodine content was measured bimonthly for 18 months and indicators of iodine deficiency were measured at baseline and 6 , 9 , 12 and 18 months thereafter . RESULTS The prevalence of goiter measured by ultrasound , based on the World Health Organization ( WHO ) body surface area reference > 97(th ) percentile , was 18 % at baseline and declined to less than 5 % by 12 month in groups A and C respectively , and to 9 % after 18 months in group B. Rates of goiter were similar by palpation or by ultrasound . The median urinary iodine was 94 micro g/L at baseline and increased in all groups to > 200 micro g/L at the 6-month follow-up . CONCLUSIONS In this sample of schoolchildren with initially low or moderate level of iodine deficiency , the group receiving salt with 25 mg/kg ( group A ) recovered from iodine deficient on all indicators after 18 months of study . However when the iodine content of salt was floating , as seen in group B , the sizes of thyroid did not yet achieve normal status by 18 months
REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .