© 1988 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Iodine Supplementation: Comparison of Oral or Intramuscular Iodized Oil with Oral Potassium Iodide. A Controlled Trial in Zaire

* MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO9 4XY, UK
** Health Unit, Oxfam 274 Banbury Road, Oxford 0X2 7DZ, UK
Regional Biochemical Genetic Screening Service Peterborough District Hospital, Peterborough PE3 6DA, UK
A community-based controlled trial of iodine supplementation comparing oral or intramuscular iodized oil with oral potassium iodide has been carried out in 23 severely iodine-deficient villages in Eastern Zaire. The overall goitre prevalence in the population (n = 5999) was 61% and mean urinary iodine excretion in sample of 57 women 10.9 (SD6.8) µ/g creatinine.
All adults in three groups of four villages were given single doses of potassium Iodide of 0.5 g, 1.0 g, and 2.0 g respectively. A fourth group was given oral iodized oil (2 ml) and a fifth placebo-treated. A further three villages were given intramuscular iodized oil (2 ml). The effectiveness of supplementation was assessed by measurements of bloodspot thyroxlne (T4 concentration in women of reproductive age in the villages. The effects of iodide were small and inconsistent Eight months after supplementation with oral iodized oil the distribution of T4 concentrations was similar to that seen with intramuscular oil. We conclude that oral iodized oil is an effective alternative to injected oil and would be feasible for iodine supplementation In remote areas with untrained people.
Received 1 May 1987