ENDEMIC GOITER IN THE UELE REGION (REPUBLIC OF CONGO). I. GENERAL ASPECTS AND FUNCTIONAL STUDIES*

Abstract

Preliminary investigations were carried out in a widespread endemic goiter area (Uele) in the north of the former Belgian Congo. The natives were usually in poor nutritional condition. The severe endemicity was demonstrated not only by the high incidence of goiter, but also by the frequency of associated syndromes such as dwarfism, mental deficiency and cretinism. Hypothyroidism was fairly common, but no case of toxic goiter was observed. The thyroid function of 166 goitrous and nongoitrous subjects was studied by means of I127 and I131 determinations. The average thyroidal I131 uptake was 75.3 per cent of the dose after twenty-four hours, and the thyroidal clearance rate was 43.83 ml per minute. The mean value for serum I127 concentration in untreated goitrous patients was in the low-normal range (4.03 μg. per 100 ml.), and in 56 per cent of 118 patients studied the level was below 4 μg. per 100 ml. Elevated PBI131 values were noted mostly in untreated young adults. All the data reflected the attempt of ...