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  • Title: Iodine deficiency disorders in pre-adolescent and adolescent children in Nigeria, West Africa.
    Author: Das SC, Isichei UP, Obekpa PO.
    Journal: West Afr J Med; 1998; 17(2):113-20. PubMed ID: 9715118.
    Abstract:
    An epidemiological study of iodine deficiency disorders covering 4230 pre-adolescent and adolescent school children, together with biochemical analysis of 741 urinary samples, 26 potable drinking water samples and 56 blood samples was conducted in the Plateau State of Nigeria, West Africa. Results indicate that about 2/3 of the region is goitre endemic due principally to iodine deficiency (ID) prevailing in the region as reflected by a low drinking water iodine (DWI) concentrations throughout most of the areas surveyed as well as by a reduced urinary iodide excretions (UIE) seen among the subjects. Urinary thiocyanate (SCN) level in contrast, was found to be significantly higher (P < .01) in the children from these areas as compared to that in Jos (the State capital), raising a possibility of its association with the increased GP seen for the region. Thyroid profile investigation carried out on the 56 goitrous school children from the iodine deficient Bassa region of the state shows two distinct groups. The major group (41 children) exhibited a low-normal to above normal serum T4, FT41 and T4/TBG levels in association with high-normal to above normal serum T3 and a mildly elevated serum TSH activity, suggesting that the group might be in a state of 'compensated euthyroidism'--due as a result of glandular metabolic adaptation to the prevailing ID. The other minor group (15 children) was in 'euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia' based on a marked rise in serum T4, T3 TBG levels, while serum FT41, T4/TBG ratio and TSH levels were within mid normal range. Discovery of 9 cretins (0.21%) further signifies the magnitude of the problem in the region. It is concluded that a significant proportion of the children living in these areas may likely to suffer from partial thyroid insufficiency with its attendant consequences.
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