[The consumption of cassava is not responsible for the etiology of endemic goiter in rural areas in Senegal].

An epidemiological study of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) was carried out in West Senegal and Casamance. Five hundred and eighty five households were selected in 3 areas with a high prevalence of goiter. We assessed the relative impact of iodine deficiency (estimated by mean iodine excretion in the urine of family members) and cassava consumption (mean frequency of consumption by the household). Cassava consumption, even if on a regular basis, neither caused nor increased goiter formation in this area of West Africa. This was probably due to the local method of cassava root preparation, which reduces the amount of cyanogenic compounds consumed. Iodine deficiency was principally responsible for goiter formation. Therefore, the commercial availability of iodine-supplemented salt should lead to the eradication of IDD from Senegal in the near future.