Youth of West Cameroon are at High Risk of Developing IDD due to Low Dietary Iodine and High Dietary Thiocyanate
Afr. health sci. (Online)
;
8(4): 227-233, 2008.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1256516
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
Hypothyroidism in utero leading to mental retardation is highly prevalent and recurrent in developing countries where iodine deficiency and thiocyanate overload are combined. So; to explore and identify human population's risks for developing iodine deficiency disorders and their endemicity in Western Cameroon; with the aim to prevent this deficiency and to fight again it; urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels were determined.Methods:
The district of Bamougoum in Western Cameroon was selected for closer study due to its geographic location predisposing for iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). A comprehensive sampling strategy included 24-h urine samples collected over three days from 120 school-aged children. Urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels were measured by colorimetric methods.Results:
Twenty one percent of boys between the ages 3 and 19 were classified as iodine deficient. The prevalence of thiocyanate overload in the same population was found to be 20.Conclusion:
Presence of endemic iodine deficiency and excessive thiocyanate in the population indicates that the region is at risk of iodine deficiency disorder. A multifactorial approach that includes improvement of diet; increasing iodine and minimizing goitrogen substances intake; soil and crop improvement and an iodine supplementation program may help alleviate IDD in the affected area studied
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Risk Factors
/
Hypothyroidism
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. health sci. (Online)
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
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