Timing of Vulnerability of the Brain to Iodine Deficiency in Endemic Cretinism

1994461 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

Xue-Yi Cao

Xin-Min Jiang

Zhengli Dou

Murdon Abdul Rakeman · Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Disease Prevention and Control Center

Ming-Li Zhang

Karen O’Donnell · Duke Medical Center

Tai Ma

Kareem Amette · Institute of Endemic Disease Control in Shandong Province

Nancy DeLong · Duke Medical Center

Abstract

Up to the end of the second trimester, iodine treatment protects the fetal brain from the effects of iodine deficiency. Treatment later in pregnancy or after delivery may improve brain growth and developmental achievement slightly, but it does not improve neurologic status.

Topics & Keywords

Neonatal Health and Biochemistry Thyroid Disorders and Treatments Neonatal and fetal brain pathology

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: New England Journal of Medicine

Volume 331, Issue 26, pp. 1739-1744

DOI: 10.1056/nejm199412293312603

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 16.60