Iodized Oil as a Complement to Iodized Salt in Schoolchildren in Endemic Goiter in Romania

• Published in: Hormone research Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 78 - 82
• Main Authors: Simescu, M., Varciu, M., Nicolaescu, E., Gnat, D., Podoba, J., Mihaescu, M., Delange, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Female; Goiter, Endemic - diet therapy; Humans; Iodide Peroxidase - blood; Iodide Peroxidase - immunology; Iodine - urine; Iodized Oil - administration & dosage; Iodized Oil - adverse effects; Iodized Oil - therapeutic use; Male; Original Paper; Romania; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyrotropin - blood; Thyroxine - blood; Romania; Iodized oil; Iodine supplementation, side effects; Iodine deficiency; Iodized salt; Goiter, endemic
• ISSN: 1663-2818; 0301-0163; 1663-2826
• DOI: 10.1159/000064657

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and possible side effects of low doses of iodized oil on iodine nutrition and thyroid function in endemic goiter in Romania. Methods: Random selection of 214 schoolchildren aged 6–14 years. Serial measurements of urinary iodine, thyroid volume with ultrasound, serum concentrations of thyrotropin, free thyroxine, thyroglobulin and thyroid autoantibodies before and up to 2 years after the oral administration of 200 mg iodine in iodized oil. Results: Urinary iodine concentrations indicated a moderate iodine deficiency before therapy, sharply increased soon after therapy and slowly decreased thereafter but remained within the normal range up to more than 1 year after therapy. The prevalence of goiter was 29% before the administration of iodized oil and 9% 1 year later. Thyroid function tests and autoantibodies were normal before and up to 2 years after therapy. Conclusion: A single dose of 200 mg iodine from oral Lipiodol ® appears adequate and safe for correcting moderate iodine deficiency in children.