ENDEMIC GOITRE IN SUDAN

Abstract

Community surveys showed the current prevalence of large goitre in West Sudan (Darfur Province) to be 18·5%, while in the Khartoum area it is 0·6%. The serum-chemical-protein-bound-iodine ( 127P.B.I.) concentrations ranged from 1·4 μg. to 8·0 μg. per 100 ml., low values being found in both populations. Radioactive iodine ( 131I) studies showed the thyroid uptake at 150 minutes to be higher in Darfur than in Khartoum and the plasma-protein-bound-radioactive-iodine at 105 minutes ( 131P.B.I.) to be very much higher in Darfur. Plasma-inorganic-iodide (P.I.I.) concentrations are low in both populations but are very low in Darfur. These data show that endemic iodine deficiency appears to be the major cause of large goitre in Sudan; while not all people showing evidence of severe iodine deficiency develop goitre, the practical conclusion is that a programme of iodine supplementation should reduce the prevalence of large goitre in Sudan and particularly in Darfur Province.