Cretinism and iodine deficiency

Iodine must be present in the normal diet to prevent iodine-deficiency goiter or cretinism, and iodine deficiency-related disorders are still a worldwide (although preventable) group of diseases that affect about 150 million people in at least 40 countries. The WHO sponsored a program to control these disorders by the year 2000 (1,2), and since 1990 there has been a remarkable progress in prevention of iodine deficiency disorders. However, by the year 2000 one-third of the population affected by iodine deficiency disorders still did not have access to iodized salt (3). 

D. Koutras, S. Muzzo, H. Niepomniszcze, C.S. Pandav and G. Riccabona, Definitions of endemic goiter and cretinism, classification of goiter size and severity of endemias, and survey techniques, ija "Towards the eradication of endemic goiter, cretinism and iodine deficiency",... 

F. Fierro-Renoy, and E. Estrella, Long-term effect of correction of iodine deficiency on psychomotor and intellectual development. in Towards the eradication of endemic goiter, cretinism, and iodine deficiency, J.T. Dunn, E.A. Pretell, C.H. Daza, and F.E. Viteri, eds., PAHO, Washington, 182 (1986). 

Eradication of Endemic Goiter, Cretinism, and Iodine Deficiency," J.T. 

A deficiency of iodine results iu insufficient synthesis of thyroxine and a low plasma level, so that secretion of TSH is increased in an attempt to stimulate synthesis but this results in enlargement of the thyroid gland (goitre). Iodine deficiency in pregnancy impairs brain development in the foetus, causing mental retardation (known as cretinism). Indeed iodine deficiency is one of the major public health issues worldwide an estimated 200 million people are affected. 

Iodine is an essential trace element for humans and animals. It forms an indispensable part of thyroid hormones. In the case of deficient thyroid hormone production (due to lack of iodine, etc.) cretinism results. Iodine deficiency constitutes a major public health problem. It represents one of the most common preventable causes of mental impairment in the world today. 

However, some observations from other goiter endemic areas did not support the selenium-iodine hypothesis. First, selenium deficiency in Central Africa is not as severe as in the selenium- and iodine-deficient areas of Tibet, where the neurological and not the myxedematous type of cretinism is most frequent (Moreno-Reyes et al, 1998) Figure 71.4. 

Supplementation of iodine during pregnancy is recommended to eliminate iodine-deficiency diseases, especially cretinism in iodine deficiency areas. However, for pregnant women who lived in iodine-excess areas or were exposed to iodine-containing medication during pregnancy, the total iodine intake and their TH status should be closely monitored. 

Guinea its relation to goitre and iodine deficiency. In Endemic Cretinism. B.S. Hetzel, P.O.D. Pharoah, eds., Institute of Human Biology, Papua New Guinea Monograph Series No, 2 55 (1971). 

A number of dietary deficiencies may increase the risk of deleterious cyanide effects. Iodine deficiency is involved in the etiology of such thyroid disorders as goiter and cretinism. These disorders may be exacerbated by excess exposure to cyanide (Delange and Ermans 1971 Ermans et al. 1972). Protein deficiencies and vitamin B12, riboflavin and other vitamins and elemental deficiencies may subject people... 

The therapeutic strategy should rely on preventative measures. Endemic goitre and endemic cretinism as well as more subtle deficits of neurological function associated with iodine deficiency have been shown to be prevented with adequate iodine prophylaxis. Adequate and continuous supply is the key to successful prevention programmes. 

Nonmetallic elements predominating in the ash are phosphorus (700 g in the human body), sulfur (175 g), and chlorine (105 g). Not only are these three elements essential to all living cells but also selenium, fluorine, silicon (Box 4-B), iodine, and boron are needed by higher animals and boron by plants (Fig. 1-17). Iodine deficiency may affect one billion human beings and may cause 20 million cases per year of cretinism, or less severe brain damage.158... 

Or, to put it more positively, by adding small amounts of iodide to common salt we can prevent the medical condition known technically as cretinism, a life-long affliction of innately low intelligence caused by iodine deficiency, and which causes permanent brain damage. Nor does this simple dietary requirement cost very much. To provide all 6.5 billion people on the planet with the 70 micrograms of iodine they need every day would require only 166 tonnes of iodine per year, which represent a mere 2% of the iodine the world produces annually. This is an amount that chemists could easily extract from seaweed, making it a sustainable resource, and indeed this was once the way they obtained this remarkable element. 

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