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  • Title: Ankle clonus and thiocyanate, linamarin, and inorganic sulphate excretion in school children in communities with Konzo, Mozambique.
    Author: Cliff J, Nicala D, Saute F, Givragy R, Azambuja G, Taela A, Chavane L, Gani A.
    Journal: J Trop Pediatr; 1999 Jun; 45(3):139-42. PubMed ID: 10401190.
    Abstract:
    We examined 397 school children for ankle clonus in five communities in three districts affected by konzo, spastic paraparesis associated with cassava consumption. From a subsample of 131 children, we analysed urine specimens for urinary thiocyanate, linamarin, and inorganic sulphate. The proportion of children with clonus varied between sites, ranging from 4 to 22 per cent. Geometric mean thiocyanate, linamarin, and inorganic sulphate concentrations were 163 and 60 mumol/l and 4.4 mmol/l, respectively. Children with ankle clonus had higher urinary thiocyanate concentrations. We recommend prevention to reduce cyanide exposure and further monitoring of cyanide exposure and neurological damage in these communities.
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