[Effects of iodized salt in the treatment of endemic goiter in school children in a rural environment in Cameroon].

The efficiency of iodized salt in Cameroon has been tested during 7 months in school children living in an endemic goitrous area. The salt contained 150 mg of iodine per kilogramme of salt when it left the production site. The regression rate of goiter was 84.0% and was not different from that obtained with a single oral administration of 240 mg of iodized oil to an age and sex matched population. Excretion of iodine in urine increased significantly (P < 0.05). Eight biochemical cases of thyroid dysfunction (7 cases of hypothyroidism and 1 case of hyperthyroidism) were observed. However these observations do not preclude the use of iodized salt in the prevention and the treatment of goiter in endemic areas.