[Study on subcretin in 8 minorities of Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of subcretins in 8 minorities of Yunnan province and to provide scientific basis for public health policy-making, as well as for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.

METHODS

Four thousand two hundred and twenty-two minority school children aged 8-12 years selected from 29 schools in 8 minority counties were measured by Combined Raven's Test in China (CRT-C(2)) and Jinyi Psychomotor test Battery (JPB).

RESULTS

Average of intelligence quotient (IQ) on 4,222 children was 91 +/- 19. Among 277 pupils with IQ between 55 - 69, 119 of them showed abnormal on JPB test and 5.4% of the children was found to have Goiter under ultrasonography. Median level of urinary iodine was 466.9 microg/L, and the qualified rate of iodized salt was 94.9%.

CONCLUSION

The estimated prevalence rate of subcretin was 2.8%.