Deaf-Mutism and Low Iodine Content of Water

Abstract

THE association of congenital deafness or mutism with districts where endemic goitre and cretinism are prevalent is well known^1–5. It is now generally accepted that endemic goitre and cretinism occur among inhabitants of areas where the iodine content of the water is low, provided no other rich source of iodine such as sea fish is utilized⁶. Russell Brain⁷ considered that many hereditary factors influence iodine utilization and that in congenital cases what is inherited is not goitre, cretinism or deaf-mutism as such, but rather some defect in iodine utilization. Hallpike⁸ has pointed out that congenital deafness does not necessarily involve a congenital anatomical defect, but may depend on an inherited predisposition to degeneration of certain tissues and be precipitated by biological factors, which are identifiable and subject to control.