Interrelationship between vitamin A, iodine and iron status in schoolchildren in Shoa Region, central Ethiopia

A total of 14,740 schoolchildren in seven provinces of Shoa Administrative Region in Central Ethiopia were surveyed for the prevalence of goitre, xerophthalmia and anaemia. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume were assessed in 966 children in one province while an in-depth study was conducted on 344 children in the same province and two others. Goitre, xerophthalmia (Bitot's spots) and clinical anaemia were observed in 34.2, 0.91 and 18.6% respectively of the children. Most biochemical variables were within the normal range while those of haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC) and urinary I excretion were lower, and mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), and immunoglobulins G and M were higher. Hb was strongly correlated with retinol, ferritin, MCHC, MCH, packed cell volume and erythrocyte count while retinol formed a triad with transthyretin (TTR) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) which were all correlated with one another. Total and free thyroxin and total and free triiodothyronine were positively correlated as were the concentrations of the total and free hormones. Thyrotropin (TSH) was negatively correlated with total and free thyroxin and positively correlated with free triiodothyronine. Thyroxin and triiodothyronine in both free and combined forms were all correlated with thyroxin-binding globulin which in turn was negatively correlated with the triad retinol, RBP and TTR. The triad was also negatively correlated with C-reactive protein. Urinary I excretion was positively associated with total thyroxin and negatively associated with TSH. The anaemia found was not nutritional in origin but due to the effect of infestation with intestinal parasites and malaria.

Patterns of goitre in Sidama Awraja in Ethiopia and its relationship to piped water supply

A cross sectional study was conducted in 1987 to determine the extent of goitre in Awassa Zuria part of Sidama Awraja. Households were the subjects of the survey to assess goitre rates. Trained staff were used for interview and clinical assessment of goitre rate. Among the total of 2,450 study population surveyed, 83.9% (n = 2,055) were school children. Out of the total study population, 40.5% (n = 993) were positive for goitre and ninety eight cases of the positive school children (n = 791) were randomly taken for biochemical tests. The Radio immunoassay technique was used to measure the levels of T3, T4 and TSH. The Sandell and Kolthoff technique was used to measure urine and water iodine. A comparison of T4 results, showed higher results for surface water users than piped water users and this has shown a significant difference (P < 0.001). It was higher in piped water compared to surface water. Further investigation however is required to fully elucidate the picture. Generally it is advisable to start iodine prophylaxis program in the studied areas.