Public Health Nutrition
Volume 13, Issue 9, 2010, Pages 1472-1477

Endemic goitre and excessive iodine in urine and drinking water among Saharawi refugee children (Conference Paper) (Open Access)

Henjum S.* , Barikmo I. , Gjerlaug A.K. , Mohamed-Lehabib A. , Oshaug A. , Arne Strand T. , Torheim L.E.
  • a Akershus University College, Box 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway
  • b Akershus University College, Box 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway
  • c Akershus University College, Box 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway
  • d Saharawi Ministry of Health Tindouf, Algeria
  • e Akershus University College, Box 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway
  • f Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway, Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sykehuset Innlandet, Lillehammer, Norway
  • g Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies, Oslo, Norway

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-P 75) UIC was 565 (357-887) μg/l. The median (P25-P75) iodine concentration in household drinking water was 108 (77-297) μg/l. None of the children had UIC below 100 μg/l, 16 % had UIC between 100 and 299 μg/l, and 84 % had UIC above 300 μg/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. Copyright © 2010 The Authors.

Author Keywords

Saharawi refugee children Iodine excess Thyroid volume Iodine intake Urinary iodine

Index Keywords

Algeria refugee chemistry human Refugees Animals Goiter, Endemic water thyroid gland iodine milk endemic goiter animal Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male female echography prevalence Article urine Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77957242411&doi=10.1017%2fS1368980010000650&partnerID=40&md5=224eabffd0608663402286b142d80c69
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980010000650
ISSN: 13689800
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English