Endemic Goiter and Endemic Cretinism in the Andean Region

Abstract

Analysis of iodide deficiency, thyroid function, altitude, neural and motor dysfunction and a variety of social and economic variables to ascertain the prevalence of endemic goiter in eight rural Andean villages showed that as many as 54 per cent of the population in certain villages had goiter, and neural and motor abnormalities characteristic of cretinism were present in up to 10 per cent of the population. All villages with goiter had severe iodine deficiency. Intercurrent unidentified socioeconomic and biologic factors in the community may have modified the severity of the endemic. High altitude seemed to depress goiter formation. With increasing severity of the endemic, there was a rising prevalence of nodular goiter, and an increase in goiter in children, in goiter in men as compared to women and in the average size of the glands. Endemic cretinism, deaf-mutism and motor abnormalities were highly correlated with the severest intensity of endemic goiter. The cretins studied did not appear to be hypothyroid.