Can Cretinism Be Cured?
Treatment. Congenital Iodine Deficiency Has Been Almost Completely Eliminated in Developed Countries Through Iodine Supplementation of Food and by Newborn...
Treatment. Congenital iodine deficiency has been almost completely eliminated in developed countries through iodine supplementation of food and by newborn screening utilizing a blood test for thyroid function. Treatment consists of lifelong administration of thyroxine (T4).
Can cretinism be reversed?
This condition is irreversible, even after treatment with thyroid hormones or iodine soon after birth, but can be corrected if treatment with iodine starts prior to or early in gestation.
How can cretinism be prevented?
About one billion people worldwide risk the consequences of iodine deficiency, all of which can be prevented by adequate maternal and infant iodine nutrition. Iodized salt is usually the preferred prophylactic vehicle, but iodized vegetable oil, iodized water, and iodine tablets are also occasionally used.
Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.
