[Iodine Deficiency Disorders: Current State of the Problem in the Bryansk Region]

[Elimination of iodine deficiency is a concern for the health of the nation. An excursion into the history, scientific aspects and the current state of the legal regulation of the problem in Russia]

The article presents current data on the prevalence of thyroid diseases associated with iodine deficiency in Russia, focuses on the features of the comorbidity of iodine deficiency and autoimmune thyroid pathologies, methods for assessing the iodine supply of the population. Information about the study and prevention of iodine deficiency diseases (IDD) in the USSR and the Russian Federation is given. The history of legislative initiatives aimed at eliminating dietary iodine deficiency and preventing IDD is illustrated in detail. The ways of solving the problem of iodine deficiency at the present stage, both at the federal and regional levels, are proposed.

[Prevention of iodine deficiency diseases: focus on regional targeted programs]

The strategy for the elimination of diseases associated with iodine deficiency throughout the Russian Federation is based on the adoption of a federal law providing for the use of iodized salt as a means of mass (population) iodine prophylaxis. Chronic iodine deficiency that exists in Russia leads to dramatic consequences: the development of mental and physical retardation in children, cretinism, thyroid diseases, and infertility. Under conditions of iodine deficiency, the risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer in children in the event of nuclear disasters increases hundreds of times. By definition, all iodine deficiency diseases (IDDs) can be prevented, while changes caused by iodine deficiency during fetal development and in early childhood are irreversible and practically defy treatment and rehabilitation. The actual average consumption of iodine by a resident of Russia is only 40-80 mcg per day, which is 3 times less than the established norm (150-250 mcg). Every year, more than 1.5 million adults and 650 thousand children with various thyroid diseases turn to medical institutions. The cause of 65% of cases of thyroid disease in adults and 95% in children is insufficient intake of iodine from the diet. At the stage of preparing the relevant legislative act, the development and implementation of regional programs for the prevention of IDD is of utmost importance. A typical draft of such a program is proposed in this article for its adaptation and use at the regional level.

Iodine Status of 6-12-Year-Old Children in Russia over the Past 10 Years: A Scoping Review

Iodine is an essential element for growth and development of children. Ensuring adequate iodine intake and monitoring iodine intake are important public health concerns. According to the World Health Organization, a population-based assessment of iodine status is often done by measuring urine iodine concentration (UIC) in children aged 6–12 years. National data for large countries may hide regional differences in the UIC. Currently, there is limited data on the iodine status of children in Russia. We summarized the evidence on the iodine status of children in Russia using both international and local literature in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2164 studies were identified, 12 of which met the selection criteria and covered 10 of 85 federal subjects. For most of the Russian regions there was no information on UIC. A range of methodologies were used to determine UIC. The median UIC ranged from 46 μg/L in the mountainous areas in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, which corresponds to a moderate iodine deficiency (ID), to 719 μg/L in the town of Turinsk (Sverdlovsk region) indicating excessive of iodine intake. Nationwide monitoring should be implemented in Russia and public health measures should be adjusted to regional and local conditions to ensure adequate iodine nutrition for all citizens.

[Comments to clinical guidelines "Iodine deficiency disorders and diseases"]

The Letter to Editor presents an analysis of some sections of the clinical guidelines «Diseases and conditions associated with iodine deficiency» published in No. 3 of the journal «Problems of Endocrinology» for 2021. In particular, the discussion deals with the coding of thyroid diseases according to ICD-10, depending on the iodine status of the population of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as issues of diagnosis and treatment, such as «verification» of goiter detected by palpation, or treatment of the vast majority of children, adolescents and adults with potassium iodide. The obstacles to the epidemiological assessment of the iodine status of the population when examining schoolchildren are discussed separately, in connection with the introduction in 2020 of the new regulation, which requires the mandatory use of iodized salt for cooking in school canteens throughout the country.