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Endemic goiter in children
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The most common manifestation of iodine deficiency is endemic goiter. Goiter formation is a compensatory reaction aimed at maintaining homeostasis of thyroid hormones in the body.
According to research, the prevalence of endemic goiter in children and adolescents is 15-25%. The actual average iodine consumption by a resident of Ukraine is only 40-60 mcg per day with a daily requirement of 100-200 mcg.
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Treatment of endemic goiter in children
In the presence of diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland according to palpation or ultrasound data, after excluding autoimmune thyroiditis, iodine preparations are prescribed in a daily dose of 200 mcg for at least 6 months. Then switch to maintenance doses of iodine preparations. If, while taking iodine preparations for 6 months, the thyroid gland size has not normalized, sodium levothyroxine is indicated. After the thyroid gland size has normalized according to ultrasound data, it is recommended to switch to long-term use of preparations containing prophylactic doses of iodine.
Drugs
Prevention of endemic goiter
There are three methods of preventing endemic goiter.
- Mass iodine prophylaxis is a population-wide prophylaxis carried out by adding iodine to food products (using iodized salt).
- Group iodine prophylaxis - on the scale of high-risk groups for the development of iodine deficiency diseases (children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women). It is carried out by regular long-term intake of drugs containing physiological doses of iodine (potassium iodide): children under 12 years old - 50-100 mcg / day, adolescents - 100-200 mcg per day, pregnant and lactating mothers - 200 mcg per day.
- Individual iodine prophylaxis is prophylaxis in individuals through long-term use of drugs containing physiological doses of iodine.
Forecast
The course of diffuse nontoxic goiter is highly variable. Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland may persist without dysfunction for many years. In some cases, hypothyroidism and nodular formations may develop. Any increase in the size of the thyroid gland determines the need for constant dispensary observation. When carrying out group and mass prevention of iodine deficiency diseases, the incidence of goiter is significantly reduced.
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