The medical definition of cretinism is untreated congenital hypothyroidism
Why does hypothyroidism cause cretinism?
Congenital iodine deficiency syndrome (formerly known as cretinism) is a medical condition present at birth marked by impaired physical and mental development, due to insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)
often caused by insufficient dietary iodine during pregnancy
.
What hormone causes cretinism?
Congenital hypothyroidism, previously known as cretinism, is a severe deficiency of
thyroid hormone
in newborns. It causes impaired neurological function, stunted growth, and physical deformities.
Is cretinism a result of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?
The medical definition of cretinism is
untreated congenital hypothyroidism
What is cause of cretinism?
Cretinism is a condition of severe physical and mental retardation due
to iodine deficiency
, and specifically due to deficiency of thyroid hormones during early pregnancy.
What is the most common cause of congenital hypothyroidism?
Congenital hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of factors, only some of which are genetic. The most common cause worldwide is
a shortage of iodine in the diet of the mother and the affected infant
. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones.
Is congenital hypothyroidism a disability?
Congenital hypothyroidism is
one of the most common treatable causes of intellectual disability
. Screening programs have been established in most developed countries to detect and treat this disorder, which affects approximately 1 in 2000 to 1 in 4000 newborns [1,2].
What is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developing countries?
Iodine deficiency
What is the difference between hypothyroidism and myxedema?
Myxedema is the result
of having undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism
. The term “myxedema” can be used to mean severely advanced hypothyroidism. But it's also used to describe skin changes in someone with severely advanced hypothyroidism.
Can babies be born with hypothyroidism?
Kids can have hypothyroidism too
. When a baby is born with it, it's called congenital hypothyroidism. Other kids develop it later, usually late in childhood or as teens. Most of these cases are caused by the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
What are symptoms of cretinism?
- lack of weight gain.
- stunted growth.
- fatigue, lethargy.
- poor feeding.
- thickened facial features.
- abnormal bone growth.
- mental retardation.
- very little crying.
How can cretinism be prevented?
About one billion people worldwide risk the consequences of iodine deficiency
How is cretinism diagnosed?
How do you Diagnose Congenital Hypothyroidism? Diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism is confirmed by
demonstrating decreased levels of serum thyroid hormone (total or free T4)
and elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
Is hypothyroidism a disability?
There are a variety of thyroid gland disorders than can negatively impact your life, two of which are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid gland disorder, you may qualify for social security disability benefits if your condition is severe enough.
Can thyroid affect baby growth?
During the first few months of pregnancy, the fetus relies on the mother for thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones play an essential part in normal brain development. Deprivation of the maternal thyroid hormone due to hypothyroidism can have
irreversible effects on the fetus
.
What causes fetal hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism in the newborn may be caused by:
A missing or poorly developed thyroid gland
.
A pituitary gland
that does not stimulate the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones that are poorly formed or do not work.
