Frequency of endemic goiter and indicators of pituitary-thyroid profile in Arctic children

Abstract

Objective. Analysis of the frequency of endemic goiter and indicators of the pituitary-thyroid profile in children aged 10-18 years living in the Arctic regions of Yakutia. Materials and methods. The study was conducted among children and adolescents of the Arctic regions of Yakutia (Bulunsky, Anabarsky, Allaikhovsky, Nizhnekolymsky, Verkhnekolymsky district) during field medical expeditions in 20182020. A total of 392 children aged 1018 years were examined. Results. In 30 % of the examined children, an increase in the thyroid gland was observed, which was accompanied by elevated levels of free thyroxine. In 3 % of children, an increase in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone was detected against the background of reduced or normal levels of free thyroxine. Conclusions. As for the prevalence of cases of endemic goiter, the Arctic regions of Yakutia are the areas of severe goiter endemia. The results obtained justify the need for additional scientific studies to assess the degree of iodine availability (by the concentration of iodine in the urine) in different population groups and real implementation of the strategy of mass preventive measures.