IODINE DEFICIENCY IN THE CIRQUE-OF-SALAZI E (REUNION ISLAND) - ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL FACTORS AND EVALUATION OF ITS CONSEQUENCES

Randomized subjects (n = 294), (35 young children 6-30 months old - 91 children 8.6 +/- 0.7 years, 116 teenagers 13.2 +/- 1.9 y - 52 young w omen 28.5 +/- 6.1 y) leaving in a mountainous area of Reunion Island ( Cirque de Salazie) were evaluated according to the following : a quest ionnaire related to food intake, cervical palpation for thyroid size e valuation and collections of urine and foods (natural and mineral wate r breast and commercial milk and salt) for iodine measurement. Neonata l TSH of 308 new borns in Salazie, were compared to TSH of 300 new-bor ns of Lille (France). The prevalence of goiter increases with age (0% in young children, 12.1% in children, 23.3% in teenagers, 38.4% in wom en) whereas median urinary iodine (mu g/dl) decreases in the same grou ps (12-7.8-5.6-4.2). The intake of milk and dairy products significant ly decreases from children to adults Neonatal TSH values are significa ntly higher in Salazie than in Lille (p < 0.005). Natural and mineral water breast milk and salt contain little iodine In conclusion iodine deficiency is present in this area of Reunion Island with a significan t increment of neonatal TSH values.