Iodine deficiency: a probable cause of neural tube defect

Childs Nerv Syst. 2013 Jun;29(6):1027-30. doi: 10.1007/s00381-013-2038-3. Epub 2013 Jan 29.

Abstract

Introduction: Iodine deficiency is the most devastating event in developing brain in the fetus and neonate. Iodine is absolutely necessary on the myelination, neuronal differentiation, and formation of neural processes, synaptogenesis, and neuronal migration by thyroidal hormones throughout pregnancy and shortly after birth. Neural tube defects (NTD) form after third and fourth gestational weeks and their etiologies are multifactorial.

Case report: We herein present a male newborn with iodine deficiency and thoracic neuroenteric cyst bound to a myelomeningocele via a pedinculi. We hypothesize that iodine deficiency may be a cause of NTD, and iodine supplementation in preconception and pregnancy may prevent NTD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Iodine / deficiency*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningomyelocele / complications
  • Meningomyelocele / etiology
  • Neural Tube Defects / complications
  • Neural Tube Defects / etiology*
  • Neural Tube Defects / pathology

Substances

  • Iodine