ESPE Abstracts

Background: Iodine plays a priviledged role in the human body, allowing thyroid hormones syntesis, necessarry for appropriate energy levels for an active life. In children it plays role in early brain development and somatic growth, bone and pubertal maturation. The overall picture of iodine supply and eradication of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is still cause of concern. The iodine status of regions is assessed by median urinary iodine concentrations (UIC),

Study group and Methods: We aim ed to examine UIC as reliable indicator of iodine supply, thyroid status and auxological data in schoolchildren referred to endocrinologist, mainly due to thyroid disorders or growth retardation. UIC was measured as part of Euthyroid project in referent laboratory in Helsinki (funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and inovation program under grant agreement number 634453). Samples of 74 school children from Southeastern region of Serbia were taken, and growth assessment performed.

Results: showed that in our region harmonized median UIC of 185 µg/L is sufficient, according WHO criteria. Majority of children had normal UIC (71.43%), Surprisingly 17.14% had UIC>300 µg/L.Third group, 11.43% had still low UIC (<100 µg/L). Children with poor iodine intake and short stature received iodine supply (minimal UIC was 27.1). Among children with extremely high IUC (maximal 501.7), three had “Iodine goiter“ and received advice about meal planning.

Conclusion: pediatric endocrinologist should consider inappropriate iodine intake as a possible and preventable cause of endocrine disorders in quotidian practice. Optimally, the iodine intake should be kept within a relatively narrow interval that prevents IDD, but not higher.