DYSGENESIS OF THE THYROID GLAND AS A CAUSE OF CRETINISM AND JUVENILE MYXEDEMA

Abstract

IN 1888 the Committee appointed by the Clinical Society of London (1) to study myxedema concluded that the disease described under the name of myxedema, as observed in adults, was practically the same disease as that named sporadic cretinism when affecting children. The Committee noted that although these conditions appeared to depend on, or to be associated with, destruction or loss of function of the thyroid gland, the ultimate cause of such destruction or loss was not evident. It would be equally true today to say that the ultimate cause of most cases of either adult or childhood myxedema or of sporadic cretinism, remains obscure. Obvious exceptions are: i) the hypothyroidism which follows accidental ingestion or therapeutic use of goitrogenic substances, including drugs; ii) endemic cretinism, which is usually goitrous and is due to lack of iodine; and iii) sporadic goitrous cretinism, which is usually familial and is probably due to an inborn error of metabolism, genetically transmitted (2, 3).