Final answer:
Iodine deficiency can cause an enlarged thyroid gland and a sluggish metabolism in adults, while in children it can lead to permanent intellectual disability. Other symptoms may include impaired growth and development, decreased fertility, and hypothyroidism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iodine deficiency can cause various signs and symptoms related to inadequate thyroid hormone production. In adults, it can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter and a sluggish metabolism. In children, it can cause permanent intellectual disability due to the requirement of thyroid hormone for normal brain growth and development.
Other signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency may include impaired growth and development, decreased fertility, and prenatal and infant death. Hypothyroidism, resulting in weight gain, cold sensitivity, and reduced mental activity, may also occur as a result of goiter caused by iodine deficiency.