Endemic Goiter in the Uele Region: III. Endemic Cretinism*

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Abstract
The high incidence of cretinism in the endemic goiter area of Uele (Africa) made it possible to submit a certain number of cretins to clinical and biologic studies. The clinical aspect was that described in the classic papers on the old European goiter endemias. Biologic studies showed a very low level of plasma protein-bound I127 (PBI), a reduced thyroidal I131 uptake, a poor response to stimulation with TSH, a normal ratio of butanol-extractable I131 to protein-bound I131, a relatively high plasma level of PBI131, and the presence of thyroxine in the plasma. It is suggested that iodine deficiency plays a major role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

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