International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Environmental health

Backgraund. Siberia traditionally belonged to iodine-deficient regions. Cessation of iodine prevention in the 1990-s, migration of the population, worsening of social and economic situation promoted the increase of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Siberia.

The aim of the research was to carry out a complex investigation of IDD among kets and selkups - small in number peoples of the North of Siberia.

Methods. We performed 3 expeditions in the northern regions of the Krasnoyarsk territory and examined 292 kets and 243 selkups living along the banks of the Yenissey and its tributaries. In accordance with the recommendations of the WHO the assessment included clinical examination, measurement of weight and height; thyroid size by palpation and ultrasonography (by one examiner using "Aloka" SSD-510 with 7.5 mHz linear transducer); urine samples collected in the field and processed for iodine using conventional technique; and blood samples taken and analyzed for TSH, T4 and thyroglobulin; the analysis of the results of neonatal TSH- screening. The degree of markedness of iodine deficiency asssessed according to the WHO criteria.

The results. The prevalence of endemic goitre in schoolchildren according to palpation and ultrasonography varied from 27% to 42% in different age groups. The median of urine iodine content in prepubertal children was 30 mcg/l. The median of serum thyroglobulin was 31 mcg/l. The data of the hormonal examination were normal. The carried out investigations among small in number peoples of the North resulted in revealing moderate degree of IDD. For iodine prevention we used the preparation of iodized oil (Lipiodol - 200) and then - potassium iodide. The monitoring of iodine deficiency showed that ioduria median in children of prepubertal age increased up to 115 mcg/1 vs 30 mcg/1. Thus, iodine prevention was effective. Conclusions. Our investigations show that among kets and selkups there is a moderate IDD influencing the health and mental development of the population and demanding continuous adequate iodine prevention. Among the newly come population and indigenous population differences as to goitre rate, values of the ioduria median and TG median were not revealed.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)