Endemic goitre in eastern New Guinea, with special reference to the use of iodized oil in prophylaxis and treatment.

Abstract

Previous surveys have indicated a high goiter endemicity in the mountainous Huon peninsula of eastern New Guinea, a study was carried out in 1964 which indicated severe iodine deficiency in the inhabitants of the area. Trials were undertaken to determine whether the injection of iodized oil would correct that deficiency and what effect injections given in previous years had had. The results showed that, whereas the urinary iodine and 131 I uptake in New Guineans who had received iodized oil in 1957 were similar to those in untreated persons, yet a single 4 ml injection (2.15 g iodine) of iodized oil appeared substantially to correct iodine deficiency for 4-5 years. There was also a significant regression of goiter in 60 of 61 persons with easily visible goiters within 3 months of their receiving an injection. No case of thyrotoxicosis or iodism was seen in more than 2000 persons who were given injections. The authors recommend the injection of iodized oil particularly for the correction of iodine deficiency in children and in women of childbearing age whenever the efficacy of other measures is uncertain. The method is relatively inexpensive and well-suited to mass prophylaxis among people with a low standard of living. (author's)