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.