Nutrition and Nutrients : Deficiency of iodine leads to

Iodine is a component of thyroid hormones. When intake is insufficient, the thyroid enlarges to capture more iodine, causing goitre. Severe deficiency during pregnancy can result in cretinism—mental and growth retardation. Universal salt iodization programs have markedly reduced prevalence, but pockets of risk remain in mountainous regions with low soil iodine.