Iodine Powerty

I (W. Wertelecki, M.D.) see an etching by the “father” of modern Medical Teratology illustrating a woman with a large thyroid (goiter) and an individual presumably illustrating her son whose growth is  stunted and appearance is senile (signs suggesting cretinism).

PERSPECTIVE: The main illustrated points are:

• the prenatal environment can cause congenital anomalies (think of iodine and many other essential embryonal-fetal nutrients);
• the maternal environment impacts prenatal environment (think of alcohol);
• the maternal and offspring manifestations are distinct (think of rubella – in English vernacular, German Measles);
• preventing environmental impacts on women BEFORE they become pregnant prevents congenital anomalies (think of avoidance of teratogenic prescriptions);
• every assessment of congenital anomalies must include a focus on the mother and her prenatal and pregnancy environment.