Thyroid volume measurement by ultrasound in schoolchildren from mildly iodine-deficient area

Thyroid size was estimated by ultrasound and physical examination in 480 schoolchildren (238 boys and 242 girls), 7-14 years old, living in Tuzla Canton. By physical examination goiter was found in 13.5% (n=65) of subjects. When compared with the upper limits of the reference thyroid volumes reported by WHO and ICCIDD, goiter by ultrasonography was found in 12.9% (n=62) of all subjects. All goitrous children had a diffuse goiter. The differences in mean thyroid volumes between groups with and without goiter detected by physical examination were significant in all age groups (p