Endemic cretinism in children

Endemic cretinism is the result of disorders of brain and central nervous system development and differentiation caused by iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism during embryonic and early postnatal periods. The main clinical manifestations are mental retardation and deafness. The general prevalence accounts for 1% to 5% of the population in goiter areas, and as high as 5% to 10% in severe areas.