Prevention of iodine deficiency in the Russian Federation
Iodine deficiency conditions (IDCs) refer to all pathological conditions developing in the population due to iodine deficiency that can be prevented by normalization of iodine intake. The spectrum of IDCs, along with thyroid pathologies, includes a number of gynecological, obstetric and neurological disorders. The most severe conditions related to iodine deficiency are associated with intrauterine impairments of the development of the central nervous system of the fetus. Epidemiological research conducted by the Endocrinological Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences demonstrated that in the Russian Federation there are no regions where the population would not be running the risk of developing IDCs. Solution of the problem of iodine deficiency conditions is simple and very effective from both economic and medical perspectives. Preventive measures are aimed at attainment of the optimal level of iodine intake by the population, which is achieved by mass iodine prophylaxis using iodized salt, intake of iodine-enriched foods, and both the group or individual iodine prophylaxis using pharmacological iodine preparations