But myxedematous
cretins have all the features of severe hypothyroidism
present since early life, including severe growth retardation,
incomplete maturation of the facial skeleton,
puffy features, thickened and dry skin, dry and rare
hair, and delayed sexual maturation. Whether mild-tomoderate
maternal iodine deficiency produces more
subtle changes in cognitive and/or neurologic function
in the offspring remains uncertain. But two
prospective case–control studies in iodine-sufficient
women have reported even mild thyroid dysfunction
during pregnancy may impair cognitive development
of the offspring.8,9