Correlation Between Iodine Status and Dysfunctional Parameters of the Thyroid Gland of Djidja Schoolchildren

Iodine is reported to be one of the main trace mineral constituting thyroid hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between urinary iodine concentration status and dysfunctional parameters of the thyroid gland of schoolchildren in central Benin. In our study we selected 108 schoolchildren to whom we performed T3, T4, TSH, iodine and thyroid volume tests. The determination of the morning urinary iodine (iodine) in Djidja schoolchildren gave satisfactory results to 72% thus declaring our study area as a zone of non-iodine dietary deficiency. The hormone assay results are favorable at a rate of 92% and corresponds to hypothyroidism. In fact, TSH are high in 85% of the study population, T3 are in their case low in 93% of our study population and finally T4 are lower in the 100% of individuals in the study population. But these results are not in agreement with the iodine obtained. Indeed, in the study environment, the population is forced to drink some water rich in fluoride. Fluorine is an iodine antagonist that it can easily substitute, disrupting the production of T3, T4 and TSH hormones. To end, the calculated thyroid echography volumes are for the most part normal volumes with a rate of 45.37 for boys and 35.19 for girls

Experimental Assessment of Workplace Radiation Exposure in Diagnostic X-ray Medical Imaging Centres in Benin from 2019 to 2020

International audienceThe ease of prescribing radiological examinations has prompted an expansion in radiological procedures and, consequently, an increase of occupational dose to medical imaging workers. However, little is known about radiation exposure in the workplace of medical radiology professionals in many countries, and in Benin particularly. The purpose of this study was to assess ambient radiation doses in diagnostic X-ray medical facilities in Benin and to observe whether exposure levels are below reference levels. A total of 72 public and private medical imaging centres participated in a cross-sectional study carried out from June 2019 to February 2020 in Benin. These centres had 59 X-ray, four chest and six computed tomography (CT) scan rooms. A calibrated radiameter able to measure short, pulsed or continuous X fields and gamma/beta (50 nSv to 10 Sv) was used to measure exposure levels in these functional rooms. Scattered X-ray doses and exposure time from radiological examinations both behind the lead glass of the control area to assess the levels of exposure of professionals and outside of the examination room to evaluate the level of exposure of the public (including non-exposed workers) have been provided. Equivalent doses estimated per hour were compared with the reference levels of 7.50 and 0.05 µSv per hour for workers and the public, respectively. At the control area, the mean/median (min-max) equivalent doses were 0.09/0.07 (0.00-0.21), 2.39/0.13 (0.00-75.67), and 228.39/28.65 (0.39-869.75) µSv per hour for the chest, X-ray, and CT-scan rooms, respectively. Among 69 examination rooms, 13.04% of the equivalent dose estimated in the workplace behind the lead glass was greater than 7.50 µSv per hour; 65 out of 69 examination rooms showed that 40.00% of the equivalent dose estimated behind the doors was greater than 0.05 µSv per hour. These results demonstrated that current controls, including leaded glass separating the control panel and leaded doors between the examination room and the corridor, are inadequate to limit radiation exposures. The controls must be upgraded and a dosimetry program should be implemented to monitor exposures of employees, patients, and visitors