Chapter 121 - Iodine Status in Individuals: An Italian Perspective

Abstract

Active iodine prophylaxis in Italy was limited before 2005. Thus, endemic goiter, as well as other iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), have been documented in the country, mainly in southern and central Italy. Calabria is a southern region in Italy, where foci of endemic goiter have been occasionally described. During the years 1990–1996, a systematic screening for the characterization of iodine deficiency in the region was performed by evaluating the distribution of the prevalence of goiter in schoolchildren, neonatal TSH results obtained from the congenital hypothyroidism screening program, and urinary iodine excretion values. The European Community, in collaboration with the Italian government, has funded a program for the eradication of IDD in central and southern Italy that started in 1998. The neonatal TSH results from the hypothyroidism screening programs allow the monitoring of iodine deficiency on a population basis, allowing analysis of the territory according to iodine supply. Preliminary data obtained from the congenital hypothyroidism screening program in Calabria suggest that iodine supply is progressively improving in southern Italy since the year 1999. All parameters employed unequivocally indicated that moderate iodine deficiency is present in the inland region, with pockets of severe iodine deficiency in some villages. In the coastal areas, iodine supply varied from sufficient to marginally low, while mild iodine deficiency was found in a major town located at sea level.