Iodine Deficiency — The Next Target for Elimination?

Abstract

IODINE is necessary for thyroid hormone production. Its deficiency causes mental retardation, deafmutism, short stature, goiter, and an increased risk of death in childhood and leads to socioeconomic deprivation.¹ About one fifth of the earth's population, mostly in developing countries, is currently at risk. For years, goiter was regarded as the chief consequence of iodine deficiency, with cretinism a separate manifestation confined to a few unfortunate victims. Now it is clear that the most important effects of iodine deficiency are on the developing central nervous system, and they form a continuum from mild intellectual impairment to full-blown cretinism. Hetzel² has . . .