Endemic goiter and cretinism: an update on iodine status.

Iodine deficiency is the most prevalent correctable cause of brain damage in the world. Over the past 15 years, great progress has been made towards the elimination of iodine deficiency, principally through universal salt iodization. Much more needs to be done for countries that are lagging in the effort or that have weak systems for sustaining it. The key to maintaining optimal iodine intake is regular monitoring, usually by the measurement of urinary iodine concentration, linked to a prompt response in the event of abnormal results. If the present momentum continues then global iodine sufficiency is possible and, in a landmark achievement, iodine deficiency will be the first major non-infectious disorder to be eliminated.