| Cretinism results from inadequate secretion of thyroid | | | | in the impairments in varying degrees of physical and |
| hormones during fetal life or early infancy. The brain | | | | mental development. It also causes gradual extension |
| and skeleton fail to develop properly, resulting in mental | | | | of the thyroid gland, referred to as a goitre. Treatment |
| retardation and dwarfism. If the baby was born with | | | | with thyroid hormone promotes normal physical and |
| the condition, it is called congenital hypothyroidism. | | | | mental development. |
| Congenital hypothyroidism can be endemic, genetic, or | | | | The thyroid hormone promote is essential that |
| sporadic. Cretinism is a condition of stunted body | | | | treatment be started during the first six weeks of life |
| growth and impaired mental development. The | | | | or irreversible changes may take place. Alternate |
| symptoms, which appear during early infancy, are the | | | | therapy with thyroxine is the standard approach to |
| gradual development of a characteristic coarse, dry | | | | treatment of hypothyroidism. Treatment involves of a |
| skin, a slightly swollen face and tongue, umbilical hernia, | | | | daily dose of thyroxine, available as a small tablet. |
| and an open mouth that drools. | | | | Long-acting intramuscular injections of iodized oil |
| Other signs may include thickened skin and a | | | | (Lipiodol) have been used in some areas. Soy-based |
| protruding abdomen. In some cases, this is thought to | | | | formulas may decrease the absorption of |
| be caused by an insufficient amount of iodine in the | | | | levothyroxine. Cretinism sodium tablets are |
| diet of the child's mother during pregnancy. Iodine is an | | | | recommended by the doctor for the patient of |
| basic trace ingredient, necessary primarily for the | | | | Cretinism. Some medicine such as Levothyroid, |
| synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency results | | | | Levoxyl, Synthroid are also beneficial for this disease. |