Iodine is an essential element for growth and development of children. Ensuring adequate iodine intake and monitoring iodine intake are important public health concerns. According to the World Health Organization, a population-based assessment of iodine status is often done by measuring urine iodine concentration (UIC) in children aged 6-12 years. National data for large countries may hide regional differences in the UIC. Currently, there is limited data on the iodine status of children in Russia. We summarized the evidence on the iodine status of children in Russia using both international and local literature in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2164 studies were identified, 12 of which met the selection criteria and covered 10 of 85 federal subjects. For most of the Russian regions there was no information on UIC. A range of methodologies were used to determine UIC. The median UIC ranged from 46 μg/L in the mountainous areas in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, which corresponds to a moderate iodine deficiency (ID), to 719 μg/L in the town of Turinsk (Sverdlovsk region) indicating excessive of iodine intake. Nationwide monitoring should be implemented in Russia and public health measures should be adjusted to regional and local conditions to ensure adequate iodine nutrition for all citizens.
Keywords: Russia; children; iodine deficiency; iodine status; urinary iodine concentration.