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Deficiencia de yodo en niños de 7‐19 años en la Provincia del Este, Camerún
Author(s) -
Taga I.,
Agbor G. A.,
Djountsop S.,
Moshin Z. A.,
Soh Oumbé V. A.,
Altosaar I.,
Ngogang J. Y.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2009.02224.x
Subject(s) - iodine , iodine deficiency , excretion , medicine , urine , thiocyanate , population , urinary system , pediatrics , endocrinology , zoology , chemistry , thyroid , biology , environmental health , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Summary Objective To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency in children in Eastern Province, Cameroon. Method Urinary iodine (I) and thiocyanate (SCN) excretion levels were assessed in 158 children (62 boys and 96 girls) aged 7–19 years. Results Mean urinary iodine excretion was 4.49 μg/dl for girls and 4.71 μg/dl for boys, lower than the 5.0 μg/dl minimal value defined by WHO. Overall 64.42% of subjects had urinary iodine excretion below the minimum, more than three times the population percentage (20%) at which a zone is declared endemic. Mean urine SCN concentration and mean I/SCN ratios of the study population were 2.57 ± 1.43 mg/dl and 2.21 ± 1.35 μg/mg for boys and 2.91 ± 1.57 mg/dl and 1.91 ± 1.1μg/mg for girls. Conclusion Iodine deficiency remains a problem in Eastern Province of Cameroon.