Iodine Deficiency in the World and in Ukraine: Current State of the Problem

Abstract

Today, efforts of governments and communities are aimed at coping with severe impacts of new viral disease outbreaks caused by SARS-Cov-2. However, there are gaps in care for patients with many chronic diseases, and programs to prevent the most common conditions are being prevented or stopped. This applies to diseases directly related to eating disorders. To solve the problem at the population level, it is critically necessary to adopt legislative acts regulating the universal iodization of table salt in the country. Currently, in Ukraine, potassium iodate is used for salt enrichment, which is a more stable compound than iodide that was used earlier. Potassium iodate allows you to store iodized salt for a year or more, does not change the taste and smell of food, and can be used for preserving and storing food. For the most vulnerable categories of the population (newborns, children, pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding), the use of iodine supplements remains relevant. The optimal tool for such preventive interventions is supplements containing the physiological dose of iodine. On the Ukrainian market, they are presented in the form of pills of potassium iodide with a content of 100 mcg and 200 mcg of iodine. The common goal should be Ukraine without iodine deficiency, where each person receives the amount of iodine corresponding to their needs, and children are provided with the opportunity for adequate intellectual development. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: children, pregnant women, iodine deficiency, iodine supplements.