LAUSR

Iodine deficiency is a global health problem and a major cause of mental retardation; More than a billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency in the world. Iodine deficiencies are endemic for Georgia. It is caused by a low level of iodine in water and in soil and therefore in food. In 1996, was approved the state program for prevention of iodine deficiency, aimed at effective management of iodine defective diseases in Georgia, which reduces them and minimizes . As a result of this program, distribution of endemic goats decreased among children from 54 to 32.9% in 1997–2006; The program was canceled in 2007. In 2005 the Parliament of Georgia adopted a new law on the prevention of iodine deficiency in other microelements and vitamins deficiency, according to which the universal iodizing salt of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health became obligatory and prohibited to import and trade non-iodized salt. The salt iodine standard was established - 40 ± 15 mg iodine/kg. For the purpose of dissemination of iodized salt in Georgia and the use of iodine consumption in Georgia, a national research of iodine was conducted in 2017 within the joint project of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health and UNICEF. The main aim was: what amount of population consumed by iodized salt, how much is the iodine content in the households in salts, the level of iodine in pupils in the urine in the urine concentration and body mass index, determining the level of iodine in pregnant on period of first trimester and so. The results of the study confirmed that more than 90% of households in Georgia consume the properly iodized salt in all regions . The quality of iodized salt imported from all major different countries was substantially good; The median concentration of iodine concentrations in urine is within the age group of children (298μg/L) (100–299μg/L); In the urine concentration of iodine concentrations in pregnant women (211μg/L) is within the norm (150–250μg/L). Which means that Georgia has a sustainable, effective program of universal iodine salt and iodine deficiency is defeated! Additional monitoring of the use of iodized salt is recommended to ultimately eliminate iodine deficiency and ensure the optimum intake of iodine . the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia