Friday, September 04, 2015

CASSAVA LEAVES AND SOY BEAN CAUSE CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM













Dr MFONFU Daniel
Independent Researcher
Tel: +237 677601207
Email: dmfonfu@yahoo.com



1.      INTRODUCTION
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is defined as thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth (Maynika V Rastogi, Stephen H LaFranchi).

Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. Normally, it uses iodine from food we eat to make thyroid hormone. This thyroid hormone is also known as thyroxin (T4). T4 is needed for normal growth and development. If congenital hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can lead to growth failure, mental retardation and other serious health problems (Julie J. Gordon).

If the child thrives he/she will grow up to be a cretin. A cretin is one who is severely stunted physically and has a severe retarded mental growth due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism.

The author clinically diagnosed a case of congenital hypothyroidism on 22 September 1983 at Divisional Hospital at Edea in the Sanaga and Maritime Division in Cameroon. The treatment of the child with thyroxin produced such a spectacular recovery that spurred the author to document the case in 1984, with the consent of the mother of the child, in order to encourage clinicians working in areas with limited diagnostic facilities to always think about the existence of such a rare endocrine disease. A copy of this report was given to the mother to use for consultation as the child developed; she also provided me the pictures as the child grew up and permitted me to publish them.

In 1984 there was not enough literature to identify neither the cause nor the contributing factors to the disease; but as time evolved, the arrival of internet permitted me to consult literature on congenital hypothyroidism that provided among others the nutritional causes and risk factors of the congenital hypothyroidism. Of recent, community traditional believes and practices revealed that raw juice of cassava leaves is consumed by pregnant women believing that it provides blood to the pregnant woman and the in-utero baby. This traditional believe is being promoted by the increasing number of homoeopaths, naturopaths, and traditional healers in Cameroon. Even health care providers have joined the chorus by encouraging pregnant women during ante natal clinics to drink raw cassava leaves juice.

This traditional doctrine was greatly practised by the community at Edea; it is still being practised in that community and it is spreading in Cameroon. It is for this rapid growing doctrine that I am writing this report to draw the attention of healthcare providers and the community of the ill effects of noxious traditional believes without a scientific background such as the consumption of raw cassava leaves juice by pregnant women.

This article on congenital hypothyroidism will be based on the nutritional causes of congenital hypothyroidism. The references used in this article are meant to backup and prove the goals and objectives of this study for the good of humanity.

2.      REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM

a)      Nutritional causes of congenital hypothyroidism (CH)
There are several nutritional causes of CH cited in the literature but we shall consider two food stuffs which are largely consumed in the Southern part of Cameroon; these are cassava leaves and soya bean which cause congenital hypothyroidism (Georgia Ede MD).

a)      Pathophysiology
















Cassava leaves contain cyanide and soya bean contains soy flavonoids that are perhaps better known as “soy isoflavones”, which we are usually told are good for us (Georgia Ede). In an overview of thyroid hormone synthesis the Pearls for Clinicians of the University of Wisconsin have demonstrated the roles of thiocyanate from cassava and soy isoflavones play in causing congenital hypothyroidism (FigureI); they  vividly describe the pathophysiology of cassava cyanide and soy isoflavones in the inhibition of the production of thyroid hormones. Thiocyanate, from cyanide in cassava leaves, blocks the transportation to and absorption of dietary iodine by the thyroid gland. Soy isoflavones inhibit the action of the enzyme thyroid peroxidase in the synthesis of T4 and T3.Thyroid hormones are vital for normal growth and development before and after birth. Because the unborn baby receives thyroid hormones from the mother, most babies with congenital hypothyroidism will have normal growth measurements at birth, including their weight and length(Maynika V Rastogi, Stephen H LaFranchi). However, if a baby’s hypothyroidism is not treated, they will remain small through infancy and childhood and end up being very short. This slowness of growth not only affects the skeleton but all parts of the body.

Brito, V.H.S.; Ramalho et al showed that cassava leaves contain most of the cyanide in the cassava plant; the mean values (mgHCN equivalent kg-1 fresh basis) for free cyanide were 40.34 for cortex, 35.02 for parenchyma and 49.40 for roots (cortex + parenchyma). The potential cyanide was higher 49.40 for cortex, 39.43 for parenchyma and 45.10 entire roots. Cassava leaves presented 49.08 as free cyanide and 63.85 as potential cyanide.
Raw cassava contains two cyanogenic glycosides, linamarin and lotaustralin, which can release prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide - HCN). Generally, the cyanogenic glycosides are not considered toxic. Once ingested by a person, the following reactions occur: Linamarin → Glycoside + Cyanohydrin → HCN. The HCN is the toxic form of cyanide. It targets the ferric iron (Fe+3) of the "a"-cytochromes of the electron transport system in the mitochondria. As a result, electron transport to oxygen is inhibited and energy production stops (no ATP being produced) resulting in rapid cell death. The body is able to detoxify low levels of cyanide in the body through the action of an enzyme, rhodenase, by the following reaction: HCN + sulfur → SCN (thiocyanate). This is an important reaction since the formation of thiocyanate contributes to the chronic toxicity problems of cyanide. It is excreted by the kidney. Health problems can result from cassava ingestion. Acute death has occurred from eating raw roots due to high levels of cyanide. Death is due to the lack of energy production in the brain and heart (Michael E. Mount).

According to Georgia Ede MD, ‘Soy flavonoids are perhaps better known as “soy isoflavones”, which we are usually told are good for us. Soy flavonoids reduce the activity of thyroid peroxidase, the enzyme required to insert iodine into thyroid hormone. Cooking does not destroy the goitrogenic activity of soy isoflavones’.

S C Conrad, H Chiu, B L Silverman concluded in their study that “Based on our findings of prolonged TSH increase in patients with CH on soy formula diets, we recommend that when soy based diets are clearly indicated in patients with CH, the provider must be aware of the possibility of prolonged increase of TSH despite seemingly appropriatedoses of levothyroxine. The infant should receive close followup with free T4 and TSH measurements, and if necessary,increased levothyroxine dose to achieve normal thyroidfunction tests”.

a)      Signs and symptoms:

CH presents the same signs and symptoms despite the cause.Signs and symptoms of Congenital Hypothyroidism in literatureaccording to (Maala S Daniel et al; Mary Shomon; Maynika V Rastogi et al):



Infants with congenital hypothyroidism are usually born at term or after term. Most new-borns with congenital hypothyroidism do not have any signs or symptoms of the condition. This is due to the presence of some maternal thyroid hormone, but gradually as maternal thyroid hormone is depleted, clinical signs and symptoms can include the following:  large anterior fontanel; feeding problems; lethargy (lack of energy, sleeps most of the time); jaundice; hypotonia; hoarse cry; coarse facial features; Macroglossia (Picture 2); and other features as shown in Picture 3; umbilical hernia; low body temperature; distended abdomen due to persistent constipation; mottled, cool, and dry skin; developmental delay; pallor; little to no growth, failure to thrive; myxoedema may be present; thick coarse hair that goes low on the forehead; goitre may be present.

3.      GOAL
The purpose of publishing this article in 2015 on congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed on 22 September 1983 in Edea-Cameroon is to prevent congenital hypothyroidism due to consumption of raw juice of cassava leaves, and soya bean by sensitizing health care providers and the community.

4.      OBJECTIVES    
i)                    Review literature  of congenital hypothyroidism (CH)
ii)                  Present the case of CH diagnosed at Edea
iii)                Discuss CH due to soya bean,
iv)                Present “Bamenda huckleberry leaves” which is a save edible vegetable



5.      METHOD

The CH due cassava leaves will be demonstrated by the case diagnosed at Edea (Picture 4) while that due to soy bean will be obtained from literature reviewed.
In the previous documentation there were no facilities such as the internet to consult in order to obtain literature on the exhaustive causes of CH and pathophysiology of CH. Some books were consulted locally. Presently most of the references were obtained from downloading documents from the internet. The diagnosis of CH was made on the basis of a picture of CH seen in a paediatric text book ‘Disease in infancy and childhood’ by Ross G. Mitchell.





























 6.      RESULTS
a)      Case of Congenital hypothyroidism

The child N.E, delivered normally on 23 March 1982 with a birth weight of 2.885kg, was admitted into the paediatric ward at the Divisional Hospital at Edea in Cameroon, on 14 June 1982 for marasmus malnutrition (Picture 4).
                                         
During a casual round in this ward the features of the child struck me. On closer examination the child presented the following features as shown in Picture 4:

·         Marked muscular wasting,the child’s weight on admission on 14 June 1982 at the age of 3 months was 2.470kg,  macroglossia protruding from the mouth; a distended abdomen; an umbilical hernia; a flat nose; thin dry and lustreless hair; a lethargic expression, and a wrinkled forehead.
·         The mother declared that the child was also suffering from constipation and difficulty in feeding.

The pathognomonic sign of ‘macroglossia that protrudes from the mouth’in CH led me to make the clinical diagnosis of CH. The child was put on thyroxin 0.05mg daily. There was no facility to carry out laboratory thyroid function tests and radiological explorations.

There was a spectacular recovery, confirming the clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism. After treatment for a month with thyroxin he weighed 3.730kg, and there was rapid regression of macroglossia (Picture 2).
On 22 September 1983, at the age of 18 months the child had attained both normal physical and mental development under thyroxin treatment. His weight was 11.000kg (Picture 3)
He had five brothers, and all of them had umbilical hernia (Picture 7).
Neither the mother nor the father presented symptoms or signs of the thyroid gland pathology.
Although CH is rare, it should be borne in mind especially in areas where there is high incidence of malnutrition because cases of advanced hypothyroidism could always be mistaken for marasmus malnutrition.

At 18 months, Picture 6, N.E was very normal and continued normal development as shown in Pictures 8 at 4 years and in Picture 9 at the age of 5years 2months.

It should be emphasized that during Infant Welfare Clinics (IWC) babies should be carefully examined for macroglossia, umbilical hernia, loss weight and distended abdomen. Those presenting the above signs should be investigated for hypothyriodism. The early diagnosis of CH would prevent the profound physical and mental retardation that could occur in an untreated child and death.

The fact that all the five brothers have umbilical hernia (Picture 7) might underline the presence of some hereditary defect. However in this community and elsewhere in Cameroon there is widespread use of palm kernel oil (manyang) as a rubbing oil  for babies; this oil causes improper healing of the umbilicus consequently causing umbilical hernia (Dr Mfonfu Daniel, July – August 2007).

The parents were educated on the disease and the importance of putting the child on thyroxine throughout his life was emphasized. They were also asked to take the child for regular medical checkup so that the dose of thyroxine should be modified according to the metabolic needs of the child as he grows.

b)      CH due to soya bean
Abigail Gelb Fruzza, Carla Demeterco-Berggren, and Kenneth Lee Jones give the history of the goitrogenic effect of soy, “The first documentation of a goitrogenic effect of soy occurred in the 1930s with the development of goiters in rats fed with raw soybeans. This was followed by soy-induced goitre in humans a quarter of a century later. In 1959, Van Wyk et al described an infant who had been fed a soy-based formula beginning shortly after birth and presented at 10 months of age with “cretinism” and a goiter. After discontinuation of this formula, the goitre and features of hypothyroidism disappeared, and the infant’s growth rate recovered a normal track”.

Conrad SC, Chiu H, Silverman BL conclude that “Infants fed soy formula had prolonged increase of TSH when compared to infants fed non-soy formula. These infants need close monitoring of free thyroxine and TSH measurement.

7.      DISCUSSIONS




The case of CH diagnosed clinically and treated at Edea was considered a miracle by the family and immediate population who attributed this case of CH to witchcraft. The parents permitted me to follow up the child for over five years old. The spread of the doctrine to pregnant women to consume raw cassava leaves juice in Cameroon is a cause for concern after about 33 years of diagnosing this case of CH at Edea. The eating of raw juice of cassava leaves should be stopped.

I really hope that health research institutes, and universities of medicine with more modern sophisticated equipment and reagents would carry out studies on the new born babies in this vulnerable group who consume raw cassava leaves juice during pregnancy. Carrying out research on cassava tubers will not be very helpful in this domain because the tubers are well treated in Southern Cameroon before they are eaten in various forms such as garri, water fufu, and batton de manioc.

I have never seen any bird eating cassava leaves.

Concerning soy bean, Conrad, Chiu and Silverman declare that ‘In our population, with CH who was fed soy formula had prolonged increase of TSH. Since normal development is critically dependent on rapid normalisation of thyroid function, this finding has important implications for infants with CH fed soy formula. Based on our findings of prolonged TSH increase inpatients with CH on soy formula diets, we recommend that when soy based diets are clearly indicated in patients with CH, the provider must be aware of the possibility of prolonged increase of TSH despite seemingly appropriate doses of levothyroxine. The infant should receive close follow up with free T4 and TSH measurements, and if necessary,increased levothyroxine dose to achieve normal thyroid function tests’.

Abigail Gelb Fruzza, Carla Demeterco-Berggren, and Kenneth Lee Jones state that ‘Based on our experience, we would make the following recommendations for children requiring levothyroxine replacement. Avoid the use of soy products unless necessary. If soy products must be used, carefully monitor thyroid function and use the dose necessary to maintain euthyroid T4 and TSH, even though it may be higher than usual recommended dosage. If soy products are discontinued, in someone receiving levothyroxine replacement, monitor thyroid function to avoid iatrogenic hyperthyroidism’.

Georgia Ede MD states that“In my experience, most people are unaware of the connection between soy and thyroid problems.  If a study like this had been about an ingredient in red meat, you can bet you’d see a giant headline in the New York Times trumpeting that red meat causes thyroid disease, and everyone would be talking about it…’

California State Law requires that all babies have the new-born screening test before leaving their hospital of birth (California Department of Health Services).

Delange F. concludes that “1. Primary TSH screening for congenital hypothyroidismis a particularly sensitive index in the evaluation of degree of iodine deficiency.
2. Neonatal TSH has the major advantage of being the single indicator allowing prediction of possible impairment of mental development at a population level.
3. Neonatal thyroid screening is also an excellent monitoring tool in the evaluation of the impact of programs of iodine supplementation.
4. However, the implementation of a thyroid screening program raises serious technical and financial problems. Urinary iodine remains the most universal and recommended indicator for the degree and correction of IDD”.

Presently there is global consumption of soya bean oil and its products because of the false advertisement that soya bean contains proteins whereas it contains mostly fat with very long chain fatty acids that is difficult to be metabolised by our body thus it only accumulates in the body causing obesity with the consequences that come with the obesity (Dr Mfonfu Daniel Thursday 20 April 2012).

Neonatal Screening for congenital hypothyroidism by determining the blood titre of TSH would be difficult to be generalised in all countries because the high cost.

The health burden caused by the consumption soya bean is enormous, first in the management of obesity and secondly in the systematic screening and treatment of new born at birth for congenital hypothyroidism.


8.      Presentation of a friendly vegetable consumed in Bamenda and in the entire North West Region in general




The leaves of huckleberry(Picture 10) which are friendly vegetables are widely eaten in North West Region. In certain communities such as Bali Nyonga it said that eating cassava leaves causes dizziness. The huckleberry vegetable is exported from Bamenda to other Regions of Cameroon.

9.      CONCLUSION
I have tried to describe the contribution of the raw juice of cassava leaves and soy bean as a result of the clinical diagnosis of the congenital hypothyroidism that responded spectacularly to treatment with thyroxin, in Edea.

It may really true that we may be ignorance of the effects of soy intake and drinking of raw juice of cassava leaves on Congenital Hypothyroidism or we may just ignore them because of big money that soya bean and cassava leaves produce.

These causes of CH can be prevented for there is a saying that ‘Prevention is better than cure’; let us stop consuming raw juice of cassava leaves and soy bean. Let us eat friendly vegetables such the leaves of huckleberry leaves.

I will also recommend that research institutes and universities who have sophisticated equipment and reagents should carry out studies on cyanide and thiocyanate in the vulnerable group of pregnant women who drink raw cassava leaves juice and their new-born babies in order to concretely educate the population on the negative effects of the consumption of raw cassava leaves juice; and soya bean products.

I pray that my experience will inspire us to improve the health the population of Cameroon and of the world in general by preventing CH due to the consumption of raw cassava leaves juice; and soya bean products.

Glory be to the Almighty God, NE survived the congenital hypothyroidism; May we prevent CH caused by food items in world in the name of Jesus Christ – Amen!
10.      REFERENCES
1)      Abigail Gelb Fruzza, Carla Demeterco-Berggren, Kenneth Lee Jones; 2012, Unawareness of the Effects of Soy Intake on the Management of Congenital Hypothyroidism; http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/3/e699.full
2)      Brito, V.H.S.; Ramalho, R.T.; Rabacow, A.P.M.; Moreno, S.E.; Cereda3, M.P; Colorimetric method for free and potential cyanide analysis of cassava tissue.Agricultural College, Catholic University (UCDB), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, Correspondent Author cereda@ucdb.br
3)      California Department of Health Services, Genetic Disease Branch: Parents’ Guide To Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism: www.dhs.ca.gov/gdb
4)      Conrad SC, Chiu H, Silverman BL; Soy formula complicates management of congenital hypothyroidism; Arch Dis Child. 2004 Jan;89(1):37-40: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14709499, www.archdischild.com
5)      Delange F. Neonatal thyroid screening as a monitoring tool for the control of iodine deficiency. ActaPædiatr 1999; 88 Suppl 432: 21–4. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5326
6)      Dr Mfonfu Daniel, July – August 2007, Skin rashes in children and palm kernel oil (manyanga), at Bamenda, Cameroon: www.mfonfudaniel.blogspot.com
7)      Dr Mfonfu Daniel, obesity oils and non-obesity oils 12 June 2012: www.mfonfudaniel.blogspot.com
8)      Dr Mfonfu Daniel, Thursday 20 April 2012, Soya bean and soya bean oil contribute to the obesity pandemic: www.mfonfudaniel.blogspot.com
9)      Georgia Ede MD, Foods that Cause Hypothyroidism, http://diagnosisdiet.com/foods-and-hypothyroidism
10)  Julie J. Gordon, American Thyroid Association, The Hormone Foundation: Congenital Hypothyroidism, www.netnet.net/mums/, www.thyroid.org, www.hormone.org
11)  Maala S Daniel, MBBS; Chief Editor: Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD   el al,  Congenital Hypothyroidism; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/919758-overview#showall
12)  Maynika V Rastogi, Stephen H LaFranchi  Congenital hypothyroidism; Rastogi and LaFranchi, Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2010, 5:17; http://www.ojrd.com/content/5/1/17
13)  PEARLS FOR CLINICIANS, Integrative Treatment of Hypothyroidism; University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine;  www.fammed.wisc.edu/integrative
14)  Ross G Michel, 1973; Disease in Infancy and Childhood, page 208;
15)  S C Conrad, H Chiu, 2004, B L Silverman; Soy formula complicates management of congenital hypothyroidism; Arch Dis Child 2004;89:37–40. doi: 10.1136/adc.2002.009365;  www.archdischild.com

1 comment:

Unknown said...

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