evaluation of the prevalence of goiter among students the school children tehran

the specific geographical situation of iran places the country among the areas which encounter with deficiency of iodine. such deficiency induces some disorders which vary in different ages. because of high risk of some of these disorders, iodine prophylaxis seems to be important. some authors believe that the prevalence rate of goiter and measurement of iodine in students can be the best way for evaluation of’ goiter in the region. however, in this survey, 2400 students were studied, for such aim, in areas covered by tehran university of medical sciences and health services. out of these students, 240 urine samples were collected and analyzed, using standard procedure. the results indicated that the rate of goiter decreased in the whole, was more prevalent among girls. on the other hands the level of iodine was in normal range for the most of the collected urine samples. briefly, the study indicated that iodated salt is getting its value in iran.