Goitre in Sierra Leone

Abstract

1. (1) Investigations are described on the distribution of goitre in the territory of Sierra Leone in relation to the diet, quality of drinking waters and to geological formations. 2. (2) The results suggest that in Sierra Leone the areas of endemic goitre are associated with pre-Cambrian granite rocks which have become altered by intensive weathering under tropical conditions and with water supplies of very low iodine content (<1.0 μg/1). 3. (3) A deficiency of iodine available in water and food appears to be of primary aetiological importance.It is possible that in low iodine areas the absence of seafish, the seasonal scarcity of red palm oil and the pollution of water supplies have additional goitrogenic influence.