Present situation of endemic goiter

According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 200 million goiter patients worldwide. It is also the most widespread endemic disease in China. Commonly known as "big neck disease", "scab" and "scab bag" in the north; Commonly known as "big neck disease", "gas neck" and "cervical sarcoma" in the south. Endemic goiter is mainly caused by iodine deficiency in the environment. Iodine is an essential micronutrient for human body, which is ingested from the outside. If the natural environment is short of iodine, and the iodine content in rocks, soil and water is low, resulting in less iodine content in grain, vegetables and forage grass, people living in this place will suffer from goiter. Normal people need to consume 100 to 250 micrograms of iodine every day. Endemic goiter may occur in areas where the iodine content in drinking water sources is lower than 0/0 microgram per liter/kloc. Generally speaking, the iodine content in water sources in endemic goiter areas is less than 5 micrograms per liter. In China, the distribution area of endemic goiter mainly includes Himalayan mountain area in the west, limestone karst mountain area in the southwest and Songnen plain in the northeast. According to the investigation results in the mountainous area near Beijing and the piedmont area of Pingyuan, the iodine content per liter of groundwater is generally lower than one to three micrograms, so residents in this area are prone to endemic goiter.