ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

The spectrum of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) during fetal life includes increased perinatal mortality, increased\r\ninfant mortality, stillbirths, congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortions and endemic cretinism (severe mental\r\nretardation). Evaluation of the impact of iodine deficiency on perinatal mortality is justified by the presence of an increased perinatal mortality in the spectrum of IDD\r\nand highly elevated of both the prevalence of iodine deficiency and perinatal mortality in some areas (as like sub - Saharian Africa). Regarding human rights, "every\r\nchild has the right to an adequate supply of iodine to ensure his (or her) normal development"; of particular importance in this context is the right of the unborn child\r\nto an appropriate iodine intake. Whatever the roles of other factors, the available data clearly show that\r\ncorrection of iodine deficiency per se substantially decreases neonatal and infant mortality. During 2013 (ten years after implementation of universal salt iodization\r\nin Romania), we intend to evaluate median urinary iodine concentration in pregnant women from endemic goiter areas.

British Thyroid Association Guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer (third edition) was published recently (July 2014). The most common presentation of thyroid cancer is a newly discovered thyroid nodule or increase in size of a preexisting nodule. The long-term outcome of patients treated effectively for differentiated thyroid carcinoma is usually favorable. Nine per cent of patients with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer die of their disease. All patients with thyroid cancer should be seen within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) framework. Supra-physiological doses of levothyroxine are used to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer recurrence. The surgeon should have training and expertise in the management of thyroid cancer and be a core member of the MDT. Tumor recurrence or progression can be diagnosed earlier by detecting a raised serum thyroglobulin (Tg) after TSH stimulation (sTg) than by measurement of Tg on suppressive levothyroxine therapy.