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Author Affiliations: Medical Students Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (Keshteli AH); Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (Keshteli AH, Hashemipour M, Siavash M, Amini M)
Corresponding Author: Mahin Hashemipour, Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Seddigheh Tahereh Research Complex, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram street, Isfahan, Iran (Tel: +98 311 3359933; Fax: +98 311 337 3733; Email: hashemipour@med.mui.ac.ir)
Background: Despite long standing iodine supplementation in Iran the prevalence of goiter remains high in some areas. In the present study we investigated the possible role of thiocyanate as a goitrogen in the etiology of goiter in Isfahan, Iran.
Methods: A total of 2331 (6-13 year old) school children were selected by multistage random sampling. Thyroid size was estimated in each child by inspection and palpation. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and urinary thiocyanate (USCN) were measured.
Results: Overall, 32.9% of the 2331 students had goiter. The median UIC was 195.5 µg/L. The mean¡ÀSD of USCN in goitrous and nongoitrous subjects was 0.42¡À0.28 mg/dL and 0.41¡À0.32 mg/dL, respectively (P=0.86). USCN level in goitrous and nongoitrous boys was 0.41¡À0.32 mg/dL and 0.43¡À0.37 mg/dL, respectively (P=0.67). USCN level in goitrous and nongoitrous girls was 0.43¡À0.26 mg/dL and 0.40¡À0.28 mg/dL, respectively (P=0.43).
Conclusions: Thiocyanate overload does not play a role in high prevalence of goiter in the studied population. We suggest the role of other goitrogenic factors should be investigated in this region.
Key words: goiter; goitrogen; iodine deficiency; Iran; thiocyanate
World J Pediatr 2010;6(4):357-360
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