Virtual Elimination of Iodine-Deficiency Disorders Achieved in Nine Counties of Jiangsu Province, China

To assess the iodine-deficiency disorder status in nine counties of Jiangsu Province, China, where salt iodization was initiated in 1985, a special verification survey was conducted in 1997 by a provincial multisectoral team. Results obtained by regular monitoring of counties indicated that the goitre rate in schoolchildren had progressively decreased from 41.9% in 1983 to 3.9% in 1997, while the median urinary iodine concentrations of the population had remained above 100 μg/L since 1985. More than 90% of the edible salt supplied to households had been iodized at ≥ 20 mg I/kg during the previous five years. The data obtained by provincial verification confirmed the county findings of ≥ 90% adequate iodized salt in households, < 5% goitre rate in schoolchildren, and adequate urinary iodine excretions. The provincial team also considered the established mechanisms for salt iodization and supply and iodine information management potentially sustainable. The high variability of the iodine content of househol...