[Local data] The first city-wide iodine survey in Hong Kong

3 min read / 08.10.2021

General Nutrition Obstetrics / Gynaecology Paediatrics Public health

[Local data] The first city-wide iodine survey in Hong Kong

The Department of Health has commissioned the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct a survey on iodine, aiming to evaluate iodine status among local school-aged children (n = 1,023), pregnant (n = 1,513) and lactating (n = 482) women.

Questionnaire interviews and spot urine iodine tests were performed for all subjects whereas thyroid ultrasonography was done for school-aged children. Key findings are listed below:

School-aged children
- Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 115 mcg/L (classified as “adequate” iodine intake as per the cut-off points recommended in the WHO’s Guide)
- Total goitre rate assessed with body surface area-specific reference values and age-specific reference values (1.7% and 2.2% respectively) were within the category of “none” degree for iodine deficiency as per the prevalence of goitre by WHO
Pregnant women
- Median UIC was 134 mcg/L (classified as “insufficient” iodine intake*)
- Median UIC of women taking iodine-containing supplements at an average daily iodine intake of at least 150 mcg/day was 156 mcg/L (classified as “adequate” iodine intake*)
Lactating women
- Median UIC was 65 mcg/L (classified as “insufficient” iodine intake*)
- Median UIC of lactating women taking iodine-containing supplements at an average daily iodine intake of at least 150 mcg/day was 84 mcg/L (classified as “insufficient” iodine intake*)