Goitre as a determinant of the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders in populations

Overview

This document aims to provide users of the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS) with guidance about the use of goitre for assessing the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency in populations. It is a compilation of the current World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on the topic and summarizes existing information on the assessment of goitre, epidemiological criteria for defining the severity of iodine deficiency at the population level, and the chronology of their establishment.

The methods and criteria included in this summary permit the identification of populations at greatest risk of iodine deficiency and priority areas for action, especially when resources are limited. They also facilitate the monitoring and assessment of progress towards international goals of preventing and controlling iodine deficiency disorders.