DYSGENESIS OF THE THYROID GLAND AS A CAUSE OF CRETINISM AND JUVENILE MYXEDEMA

Abstract

Clinical data and the results of I131 studies in 4 hypothyroid children add to our knowledge of the etiology and interrelationship of juvenile myxedema and sporadic cretinism. They lead to the following conclusions: (1) Hypothyroidism in children may be due to dysgenesis of the thyroid gland; (2) the same developmental defect may result in either cretinism or juvenile myxedema; (3) the age of onset of thyroid insufficiency depends upon the amount of thyroid tissue available to the fetus or child. The hypothesis is advanced that the normal appearance of the cretin at birth may be due to the presence of a scanty focus of functioning thyroid tissue, which is adequate for the metabolic needs in utero, but which proves unequal to the increased metabolic requirements of independent life.