Characteristics of cretinism
What is cretinism and what causes it?
The medical definition of cretinism is untreated congenital hypothyroidism, with or without a goiter. Iodine deficiency is still a major cause of endemic cretinism, but in Canada this is no longer true. An interesting historical reference to goiter in 1832 in the Ontario Native population stated (2):
How does cretinism affect the body?
Endemic cretinism is the extreme clinical manifestation of severe hypothyroidism during foetal, neonatal and childhood stages of development. It is characterised by severe and irreversible mental retardation, short stature, deaf-mutism, spastic dysplegia and squints.
What are the features of congenital hypothyroidism?
Common symptoms include decreased activity and increased sleep, feeding difficulty, constipation, and prolonged jaundice. On examination, common signs include myxedematous facies, large fontanels, macroglossia, a distended abdomen with umbilical hernia, and hypotonia.
What does cretinism mean?
Medical Definition of cretinism
: a usually congenital condition marked by physical stunting and intellectual disability and caused by severe thyroid deficiency. — called also infantile myxedema.
What is the difference between dwarfism and cretinism?
In several hormonal disorders and hereditary conditions dwarfism is associated with subnormal intelligence. Inadequate production of thyroid hormone during gestation and early infancy results in a condition known as cretinism, which is characterized by growth retardation and severe mental retardation.
What is the main cause of cretinism in infants?
The cause of hypothyroidism in newborns can be caused by various factors. Some of these factors responsible for hypothyroidism are listed below: Poor formation, absence, or abnormally small thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone production is affected by a genetic defect.
What is the difference between cretinism and myxedema?
Enzyme immobilisation is Aconversion of an active enzym…
…
Complete Answer:
…
Complete Answer:
| Sl.no | Cretinism | Myxedema |
|---|---|---|
| 3. | It occurs due to deficiency of iodine in the body | It occurs due to under activity of the thyroid gland |
| 4. | A diet rich in iodine can help | It can be treated by treating the cause, i.e. hypothyroidism |
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism in children?
Undiagnosed hypothyroid children may experience slowed growth rate. Additional symptoms include sluggishness, pallor, dry and itchy scalp, increased sensitivity to cold and constipation. If untreated, the condition may have devastating effects, such as stunted physical growth and mental retardation.
What is the most common cause of cretinism?
Iodine deficiency is well known as cause of cretinism in fetus and newborn, characterized by low birth weight, short stature, mental retardation, deaf, and/or mutism. Iodine deficiency in later period of life causes goiter commonly seen in low iodine intake region.
How do you get cretinism?
Cretinism is a disease caused by hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency in diet during pregnancy is the major cause of cretinism. Hypothyroidism leads to impaired development of the growing fetus and leads to mental retardation and stunted growth.
Can cretinism be cured?
Cretinism can be endemic, genetic, or sporadic. If untreated, it results in mild to severe impairment of both physical and mental growth and development. Drug Thyroxine is the only remedy to cure Cretinism.
Does cretinism still exist?
Cretinism still exists in remote rural areas of many countries (8) with an estimated 2 mil- lion children affected globally every year (2).
What is the main cause of cretinism in infants?
The cause of hypothyroidism in newborns can be caused by various factors. Some of these factors responsible for hypothyroidism are listed below: Poor formation, absence, or abnormally small thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone production is affected by a genetic defect.
Which hormone is responsible for cretinism?
(c) Cretinism is characterized by stunted growth in the baby due to the deficiency of thyroid hormone in the body.
How can cretinism be prevented?
Background: Endemic cretinism, caused by severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy, is the world’s most common preventable cause of mental retardation. It can be prevented by iodine treatment before conception, but whether it can be prevented or ameliorated by treatment during pregnancy or after delivery is not known.
What is the difference between cretinism and myxedema?
Enzyme immobilisation is Aconversion of an active enzym…
…
Complete Answer:
…
Complete Answer:
| Sl.no | Cretinism | Myxedema |
|---|---|---|
| 3. | It occurs due to deficiency of iodine in the body | It occurs due to under activity of the thyroid gland |
| 4. | A diet rich in iodine can help | It can be treated by treating the cause, i.e. hypothyroidism |
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.
Why does iodine deficiency cause cretinism?
In contrast, in severe iodine deficiency, maternal hypothyroidism does occur during pregnancy and the contribution of maternal thyroxine to the saturation of the triiodothyronine receptors of the brain of the growing fetus is decreased, resulting in the development of the neurological features of endemic cretinism.
What are signs of myxedema?
Myxedema Coma Symptoms
- Weakness or lethargy.
- Confusion or non-responsiveness.
- Feeling cold.
- Low body temperature.
- Swelling of the body, especially the face, tongue, and lower legs.
- Difficulty breathing.
How rare is it to be born without a thyroid?
Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when a newborn infant is born without the ability to make normal amounts of thyroid hormone. The condition occurs in about 1 in 3,000-4,000 children, is most often permanent and treatment is lifelong.