Comparative analysis of results from studies of goitre in children from Bulgarian villages with nitrate pollution of drinking water in 1995 and 1998

The role of nitrate in goitre genesis has been discussed for a long time. In the present report a comparative analysis is made of results obtained in villages with nitrate pollution of the drinking water. In two pairs of villages children aged between 3 and 14 were included, whose thyroid status was investigated by a clinical examination. The study was carried out in 2 stages - in 1995 and 1998. In this period the goitre incidence was significantly reduced in both sexes. Both investigations shoxed a higher elative risk of goitre in children exposed to water pollution by nitrates. In the first, as well as in the second examination, goitre was diffuse. We concluded that nitrate pollution of drinking water undoubltedly participated in goitre genesis. We did not underestimate the strumigenic effect of nitrates in the diet as they were not the object of our investigation and which, according to WHO experts, have a less strumigenic effect. After the first investigation we recommended a higher antistrumin dose as prophylaxis. That is why we conclude that the considerable goitre reduction in the second investigation was the positiveresult of the doubled antistrumin prophylaxis duing the period between the two investigations..