ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of mental retardation that can be prevented. The most serious consequence of iodine deficiency is cretinism. The Republic of Tuva is one of 89 administrative territories of the Russian Federation. Tuva lies in the south of Siberia and bordering Mongolia. In 1997 we first discovered the pocket of severe iodine deficiency in the Republic of Tuva and found cases of endemic cretinism. The aim: To study the features of iodine deficiency cretinism in the Republic of Tuva.

Materials and Methods: We surveyed 287 children between the ages of 1.5 and 15 in the western districts of Tuva. A neurological examination was carried out; audiometry, ultrasound examination of hearing; psychometric assessment of mental development through verbal and non-verbal tests.

Results: According to our research, the prevalence of iodine deficiency cretinism in Tuva was 3.5%. Various forms of endemic cretinism have been revealed: mixedematous, neurological and mixed. Mixed cretinism prevailed (77.6%) and characterized signs of severe hypothyroidism, mental and growth retardation, emotional-will disorders. Patients with neurological cretinism were deafness in 75%, with serious mental deficit (idiocy or imbecility) combined with squint and characteristic spastic lesions of the limbs.

Conclusions: Severe iodine deficiency in Tuva Republic has a negative impact on the health and mental development of the population and requires constant adequate iodine prevention and monitoring of iodine deficiency.