Cretinism, endemic etiology

Ermans AM, Delange F, Van Der Velden M, et al. 1972. Possible role of cyanide and thiocyanate in the etiology of endemic cretinism. Adv Exp Med Biol 30 455-486. 

Ermans AM, Nbulamoko NM, Delange F, et al., eds. 1980. Role of cassava in the etiology of endemic goitre and cretinism. Ottawa, Canada International Development Research Centre, 1-182. 

Suzuki H (1980) Etiology of endemic goiter and iodide excess. In Stanbury JB, Hetzel BS eds. Endemic Goiter and Endemic Cretinism, pp. 237—254. Wiley New York. 

The role of iodine deficiency in the etiology of endemic cretinism is well established 1) by the correlation between the degree of iodine deficiency and the frequency of cretinism 2) by the prophylactic action of iodine on the incidence of cretinism and 3) by the emergence of cretinism in previously unaffected populations as a consequence of iodine deficiency of recent onset, as observed in the Jimi valley in New Guinea after replacement of natural rock salt rich in iodine with low iodine industrial salt (23). 

Finally, the role of antithyroglobulin antibodies in the etiology of endemic goiter has been suspected in Argentina (42) but has never been conclusively confirmed, either in endemic goiter and cretinism (43) or in sporadic congenital hypothyroidism (44). 

Studies of the antithyroid effects of cassava and of thiocyanate in rats, "Role of cassava in the etiology of endemic goitre and cretinism", A.M. Ermans, N.M. Mbulamoko, F. Delange and R. Ahluwalia eds.. International Development Research Centre Publ., Ottawa (1980), pp. 93-110. 

Iodine deficiency is a worldwide problem and eradication of cretinism, hypothyroidism and goiter is possible with iodine supplementation on a large scale in overt endemic goiter areas (01). Recent reports demonstrate that, because iodine deficiency is one of the etiological factors of... 

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