碘是合成甲状腺激素的原料,而甲状腺素为人体生长发育所必需,这已为众人所熟知。那么,碘、甲状腺激素与地方性克汀病是什么关系?目前,虽然关于地方性克汀病之病因问题还有种种说法,但缺碘是造成地方性克汀病的基本病因这一点已得到公认。因为人们注意到了以下事实:首先,地甲肿和地克病在地理分布上一致,即两病均发生在缺碘地区。事实上,从未报道某地区无地方性甲状腺肿(低碘性)而有地方性克汀病出生。例如日本无缺碘引起地甲肿,也没有报道过有地克病存在。从1974年泛美卫生组织给地方性克汀病下的定义就可以看出地甲肿和地克病之关系。而且,Querido证明,地方性克汀病只发生于缺碘 Iodine is the raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and thyroxine is necessary for human growth and development, which is well known. So what is the relationship between iodine and thyroid hormones and endemic cretinism? At present, although there are various claims about the aetiology of endemic cretinism, iodine deficiency is the basic cause of endemic cretinism accepted. Because people noticed the following facts: First of all, the geographical division of gland and Dick’s disease is consistent, that is, both diseases occur in iodine-deficient areas. In fact, endemic cretinism has never been reported in a region without endemic goiter (low iodine). For example, Japan has no iodine-induced gland swelling and no cases of Dick’s disease have been reported. From the definition of endemic cretinism by PAHO in 1974, the relationship between dementia and gram-negative disease can be seen. Moreover, Querido proved that endemic cretinism occurs only in iodine deficiency