Cretinism: The medical definition of cretinism

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. Cretinism is due to dietary iodine deficiency and can be prevented by correction of iodine deficiency before pregnancy. Cretinism is the most serious iodine deficiency disorder and occurs when a pregnant women is severely iodine deficient. Cretinism is a disease caused by hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency in diet during pregnancy. It leads to mental retardation, stunted growth and other symptoms. Learn about the types, diagnosis and treatment of cretinism . Cretinism : An Iodine Deficiency DisorderIn this article, we will review an increasingly rare example of an iodine deficiency disorder known as cretinism . What is cretinism The term cretin describes mentally deficient subjects born in an endemic goiter area, which exhibit some of the following characteristics which are not readily explained by other causes: Irreversible neuro-muscular disorders. Irreversible abnormalities in hearing and speech, which sometimes lead to deaf mutism. Impairment ...