Effect of the new policy regarding iodine salt on the nutritional status of preschool children in Hefei City

Objective To assess the effect of the new policy about iodine salt on the nutritional status of preschool children by urinary iodine monitoring fom the year of 2008 to 2014. Methods According to the Anhui Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Monitoring Program, the palpation of thyroid and the determination of urinary iodine were done on preschool children in Hefei. Additionally, the level of iodine in salt was also tested. Results From 2008 to 2014, the median salt iodine, the total goiter rate and the median urine iodine of preschool children in Hefei City were 26.8 mg/kg, 0.76% and 292 μg/L, respectively. The median salt iodine were 28.4 mg/kg, while it was 24.1 mg/kg after the adjustment, and there was a significant differences of iodine salt level between these two years (Z=-55.064,P<0.001); The goiter rates of preschool children were 0.84% and 0.64%, and there were no significant differences(χ²=1.236,P=0.266). The median urine iodine were 334.00 μg/L and 250.60 μg/L between those two periods. The distribution of the urine iodine value and the urine iodine frequency were also significantly different (all P<0.05). Conclusions It is suggested that the urinary iodine level would decrease with the implementation of new policy regarding iodine salt. The new policy should continue to be implemented under the urinary iodine monitoring.