Changes of urinary iodine excretion of newborns over a period of twenty years

Objective: The use of iodized salt is not mandatory in Hungary and supply is irregular since decades. The effect of this anomaly was studied on the neonatal urinary iodine excretion over a period of twenty years. Design: Urinary iodine content of 286 newborns' samples was tested in different areas of Hungary in 1980, 1991, and 1999. Methods: Colorimetric ceric ion-arsenious acid method based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction was used for determination of urinary iodine content. Fitfy-one samples were excluded from evaluation because of suspicion of iodine contamination. Results: Decreased iodine excretion was demonstrated in different areas and at various times over this period of twenty years in accordance with the results of other (schoolchildren, pregnants) surveys in Hungary. Conclusions: Iodine deficiency of newborns in these areas changed from year to year, documenting a fluctuating iodine intake. Universal salt iodization should be introduced throughout the country instead of the present silent iodine prophylaxis to prevent iodine deficiency, especially in the perinatal period.