Evaluation of Iodate Status in a Group of Children with Stature Delay from Sibiu County

Abstract

Abstract Iodine deficiency in childhood can influence the mental and somatic growth and development of children by decreasing the thyroid hormone production. Iodine deficiency can be quantified by testing ioduria concentration. Our study has analyzed ioduria concentration of children detected with stature delay, coming from two distinct regions of Sibiu County, namely Gura Rîului, a known endemic area, and Şeica Mare, a lowland region. Approximately 60% of these children with iodine deficiency were detected in both regions, but a much lower average of ioduria was identified in the endemic area, where 23% of children presented severe iodine deficiency. The results are related to those published in other articles and call for their extension to larger group of children throughout the country, because iodine deficiency is still an issue of public health with multiple effects on the mental and somatic growth and development of children.