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Sonomorphologic evaluation of goiter in an iodine deficiency area in the Ivory Coast.

D Franke, G Filler, M Zivicnjak, P Kouamé, I Ohde, L Eckhardt, E Doehring and J H Ehrich

Charité Children's Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. doris.franke@charite.de

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the extent of thyroid abnormalities in a remote iodine-deficient area of the Ivory Coast. METHODS: Ultrasonography was used in detecting the presence of goiter. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates of goiter were 64.7% among females and 53.3% among males. In children aged 6 to 15 years (n = 314), the prevalence of goiter was 62% regardless of sex. Thyroid volume increased steadily with age, with significantly larger goiters in women 25 years and older. Frequency of cysts and calcifications did not correlate with sex. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in developing countries, prophylaxis of iodine deficiency disorders must be improved in iodine-deficient areas to prevent substantial morbidity, which is more severe in women and elderly persons.