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.