Assessment of iodine status among school age children and pregnant women of Belarus in 2017–2018

Background. Despite the measures taken by the Government of Belarus, the problem of iodine deficiency among the population remains actual. Aims. To determine iodine sufficiency in children and pregnant women living in Belarus. Materials and methods. The study included 873 schoolchildren aged 9–12 years of both sexes, of which 650 children were in regular schools, and the remaining children in boarding schools. A separate group consisted of 700 practically healthy pregnant women (during gestation from 16 to 36 weeks). Questioning, determination of urinary iodine concentration and thyroid volume with ultrasound was carried out. Results. Urine iodine median was 191 µg/L in the 873 children in 16 regions of Belarus. Thyroid volume corresponds to the normative values in children. According to the survey, 81% of households used iodized salt, constantly – 46%. Indicator of iodine sufficiency of 700 pregnant women (median urinary iodine concentration was 121 µg /l) is a non-optimal for this population group. Conclusions. Currently adequate iodine supplementation in school age children has been achieved. The prevalence of thyroid gland diseases caused by iodine deficiency in children decreased significantly. In pregnant women iodine supply is still insufficient.