Cretinism

cretinism /cre·tin·ism/ (kre´tin-izm) arrested physical and mental development with dystrophy of bones and soft tissues, due to congenital lack of thyroid secretion.

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athyrotic cretinism  cretinism due to thyroid aplasia or destruction of the thyroid of the fetus in utero.

endemic cretinism  a form occurring in regions of severe endemic goiter, marked by deaf-mutism, spasticity, and motor dysfunction in addition to, or instead of, the usual manifestations of cretinism.

sporadic goitrous cretinism  a genetic disorder in which enlargement of the thyroid gland is associated with deficient circulating thyroid hormone.

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cre·tin·ism (krtn-zm)

n.

A congenital condition due to thyroid hormone deficiency during fetal development and marked in childhood by dwarfed stature, mental retardation, dystrophy of the bones, and a low basal metabolism. Also called congenital myxedema, cretinoid dysplasia.

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Cretinism

Severe hypothyroidism that is present at birth and characterized by severe mental retardation.

Mentioned in: Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Function Tests

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cretinism (krē´tnizm) (congenital hypothyroidism),

n See hypothyroidism.

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cretinism

arrested physical and mental development with dystrophy of bones and soft tissues, resulting in disproportionate dwarfism. Due to congenital or early-onset hypothyroidism. Seen in foals and possibly is an unrecognized cause of neonatal deaths in other species.