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  • Title: Endemic goitre and excessive iodine in urine and drinking water among Saharawi refugee children.
    Author: Henjum S, Barikmo I, Gjerlaug AK, Mohamed-Lehabib A, Oshaug A, Strand TA, Torheim LE.
    Journal: Public Health Nutr; 2010 Sep; 13(9):1472-7. PubMed ID: 20359380.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of enlarged thyroid volume (Tvol) in Saharawi refugee children, and their urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and to identify possible sources of excess iodine intake. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was performed during January-February 2007. Tvol was measured by ultrasound and iodine concentration was analysed in casual urine samples, in household drinking water and in milk samples from household livestock. SETTING: The study was undertaken in four refugee camps in the Algerian desert. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 421 Saharawi children, 6-14 years old. RESULTS: Enlarged Tvol was found in 56 % (Tvol-for-age) and 86 % (Tvol-for-body-surface-area) of the children. The median (25th percentile-75th percentile, P25-P75) UIC was 565 (357-887) microg/l. The median (P25-P75) iodine concentration in household drinking water was 108 (77-297) microg/l. None of the children had UIC below 100 microg/l, 16 % had UIC between 100 and 299 microg/l, and 84 % had UIC above 300 microg/l. There was a positive association between Tvol and whether the household possessed livestock. CONCLUSIONS: The children are suffering from endemic goitre and high UIC caused probably by an excessive intake of iodine. The excessive iodine intakes probably originate from drinking water and milk.
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