Medical Science
Volume 25, Issue 107, January, 2021
Borderline forms of mental retardation in pre-pubertal children living in an iodine-deficient region
Tаmila Sorokman1♦, Marina Bachu3, Iryna Sokolnyk1, Nataliya Popelyuk2, Leonid Shvygar1
1Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics of Bukovinian State Medical University, Teatralna sq., 2, Chernivtsi, 58002, Ukraine
2Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Perinatal Medicine of Bukovinian State Medical University, Teatralna sq., 2, Chernivtsi,
58002, Ukraine
3Department of nursing of higher nursing education, Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine
♦Corresponding author
Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics of Bukovinian State Medical University, Teatralna sq., 2, Chernivtsi, 58002,
Ukraine; Email: t.sorokmam@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Almost a third of the world's population lives in conditions of chronic iodine deficiency, which causes the development
of iodine deficiency diseases. The degree of iodine deficiency determines not only the severity of the goiter endemic, but also the
increase in various disorders of somatic, mental and reproductive health. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of mental
retardation in children. This problem is especially acute for Ukraine, as almost its entire territory is considered iodine deficient. The
purpose of the study is to determine the level of formation of intellectual functions of children from iodine deficiency regions.
Methods: During 2010-2019 years, studies were conducted (questionnaires, ultrasound and hormonal examination of the thyroid
gland, assessment of mental development) of 1973 children aged 7-18 during expeditions to various geographical areas of
Chernivtsi region. Results: According to WHO criteria, Chernivtsi region meets the average (mountain zone) and mild (plain zone and
Chernivtsi) degree of iodine deficiency. The concentration of iodine in the urine ranged from 17.7 μg/l to 156 μg/l. Signs of
laboratory hypothyroidism were found in 11.27% of children. According to the results of the study, a decrease in the level of
formation of intellectual functions (memory impairment, fine motor skills, reading speed, accuracy and productivity, instability of
attention, decreased ability to concentrate) with increasing iodine deficiency. Conclusion: With a decrease in mental abilities in
children, there is even a mild and moderate iodine deficiency, which is manifested by borderline forms of intellectual
retardation. The most pronounced deviations are registered in children with subclinical hypothyroidism, which reduces their mental
capacity.
Keywords: iodine deficiency, children, mental development.
Medical Science, 2021, 25(107), 57-66
