Investigation of fluorosis cases in the villages of Dadin Kowa and Gobirawa, Tessaoua Health District, Maradi Region 19 to 24 November 2023

Introduction: Fluorosis is a chronic metabolic disease caused by fluoride ions. The main cause is the high fluoride content of groundwater. Fluorides are responsible for numerous chronic dental and bone disorders, known as fluorosis. In Niger, fluorosis began in 1985 with the drilling of boreholes. In 2023, cases of bone deformation were observed in children under 15. Multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral investigation teams identified the causes of these bone deformations and took appropriate public health measures. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive study of fluorosis cases recorded from November 19 to 24, 2023. An active search for suspected children was conducted in the villages. Specialists in several fields worked together to examine these children clinically. Samples of biological and biochemical fluids were taken from these children, and physico-chemical analyses were carried out on water taken from wells and boreholes. A linear list of cases was drawn up. Epi Info 7.2 and Excel® were used for analysis. Results: A total of 67 children were identified. Of the 67 children, 49 (73%) were aged between 1 and 4 years. The average age was 4 years, and males were the most affected, with 37 cases (56.71%) and a M/F sex ratio of 1.23. 61 (91%) of the children were from Dadin Kowa. 81% drank water from the Dadin Kowa western borehole. Bilateral varum knee was more frequent, at 53%. Two boreholes had fluoride levels of 6.1 mg/l and 8.1 mg/l. Conclusion: The mission to investigate suspected cases of fluorosis in the villages of Dadin Kowa and Gobirawa led to the diagnosis of fluorosis in some children. Samples were taken from these children to measure fluoride levels in their blood. Keywords: Investigation, Fluorosis, Niger.