Iodine nutrition level and its spatial distribution in key populations in Hubei Province in 2020 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To learn about the iodine nutrition level and its spatial distribution status in key populations in Hubei Province, so as to provide a basis for adjustment of iodine supplementation policy and the realization of scientific and accurate iodine supplementation.Methods:In 2020, a sampling was carried out in Hubei Province according to the "National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Monitoring Plan (2016 Edition)" to monitor the concentration of salt iodine and urinary iodine of key populations (children ages 8 - 10 years old and pregnant women). The spatial distribution of iodine nutrition levels was analyzed by spatial epidemiology.Results:The median salt iodine of 17 263 children's family salt samples was 25.0 mg/kg, and the median urinary iodine (MUI) was 217.0 μg/L. There was significant spatial aggregation in the distribution of urinary iodine level in children at the county level ( Moran's Index = 0.36, P < 0.001). The significant hot spot areas with high urinary iodine level among children were located in Shiyan City and Xiangyang City, while the significant cold spot areas with low urinary iodine level were mainly concentrated in Yichang City. The median salt iodine of 8 618 pregnant women's family salt samples was 25.1 mg/kg, the MUI was 176.3 μg/L. The urinary iodine level among pregnant women at the county level was spatially clustered ( Moran's Index = 0.22, P = 0.003) . The significant hot spot areas with high urinary iodine level among pregnant women were mainly in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, the significant cold spot areas were mainly concentrated in Yichang City. Conclusions:In 2020, the iodine nutrition of children in Hubei Province is at a super appropriate level (200 - 299 μg/L), and the iodine nutrition status of pregnant women is more sensitive, which is close to the lower limit of the appropriate level (150 μg/L). The urinary iodine level of children and pregnant women has significant spatial aggregation at the county level. Targeted intervention will be needed in counties (dictricts) where the urinary iodine level is lower or higher than the normal range, to achieve accurate and scientific iodine supplementation.