Key difference: Myxedema is a disease resulting from the under-activity of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by puffy eyes, face, hands and mental sluggishness. Cretinism is a condition arising from a deficiency of thyroid hormone, which is characterized by dwarfism and mental retardation.Consequently, what are symptoms of cretinism?
Signs of cretinism or congenital hypothyroidism in a newborn include:
- lack of weight gain.
- stunted growth.
- fatigue, lethargy.
- poor feeding.
- thickened facial features.
- abnormal bone growth.
- mental retardation.
- very little crying.
Similarly, what is the cause of cretinism? Cretinism: Congenital hypothyroidism (underactivity of the thyroid gland at birth), which results in growth retardation, developmental delay, and other abnormal features. Cretinism can be due to deficiency of iodine in the mother's diet during pregnancy.
One may also ask, what is the difference between dwarfism and cretinism?
Dwarfism is caused due to deficiency of growth hormone whereas cretinism is caused due to the deficiency of thyroid hormones. Hence, dwarfs and cretins are somewhat of the same height but the main difference is that cretins are mentally deranged (mad or insane).
What causes cretinism and goiter?
Iodine deficiency, more than cretinism and goiter. Iodine is a key element in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and as a consequence, severe iodine deficiency results in hypothyroidism, goiter, and cretinism with the well known biochemical alterations.
How common is cretinism?
Statistics on Congenital hypothyroidism (Cretinism) Incomplete development of the thyroid is the most common defect and occurs at a rate of 1 out of every 3,000 births. Girls are twice as often affected than boys.Why is cretinism not reversible?
The correction of iodine deficiency produces a dramatic reversal of the condition of cerebral hypothyroidism due to restoration of brain thyroid hormone levels. This is a different effect from brain damage during pregnancy, which is not reversible but completely preventable.Can you be born with hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland. 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.What causes myxedema?
Myxedema is a result of undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism. It can also develop when someone stops taking their thyroid medication. It's more common in the elderly and in women. Deposits of chains of sugar molecules (complex mucopolysaccharides) in the skin cause the skin condition myxedema.How is cretinism treated?
The mainstay in the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism is early diagnosis and thyroid hormone replacement. Optimal care may include diagnosis before age 10-13 days and normalization of thyroid hormone blood levels by age 3 weeks. Only levothyroxine is recommended for treatment.How can cretinism be prevented?
About one billion people worldwide risk the consequences of iodine deficiency, all of which can be prevented by adequate maternal and infant iodine nutrition. Iodized salt is usually the preferred prophylactic vehicle, but iodized vegetable oil, iodized water, and iodine tablets are also occasionally used.What is juvenile hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in which your child's thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. A child with an underactive thyroid may experience fatigue, weight gain, constipation, decreased growth, and a host of other issues.Can congenital hypothyroidism go away?
Some infants are born with temporary hypothyroidism. This can be caused by things such as premature birth, thyroid disease in the mother, or medicines the mother had during pregnancy. This form of hypothyroidism usually goes away by itself in the first weeks or months of life.What is gigantism disease?
Gigantism is a rare condition that causes abnormal growth in children. This change is most notable in terms of height, but girth is affected as well. It occurs when your child's pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone, which is also known as somatotropin.Who discovered dwarfism?
Pierre Maroteaux
Is cretinism a hereditary disease?
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. It occurs due to lack of nutrition and hence it is not a hereditary disease. So, the correct answer is 'Cretinism'.Is cretinism reversible?
This condition is irreversible, even after treatment with thyroid hormones or iodine soon after birth, but can be corrected if treatment with iodine starts prior to or early in gestation.What is the difference between acromegaly and gigantism?
Gigantism refers to abnormally high linear growth (see the image below) due to excessive action of insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) while the epiphyseal growth plates are open during childhood. Acromegaly is the same disorder of IGF-I excess but occurs after the growth plate cartilage fuses in adulthood.What is the cause of cretinism write the symptoms of cretinism?
Congenital iodine deficiency syndrome is a medical condition present at birth marked by impaired physical and mental development, due to insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) caused by insufficient dietary iodine during pregnancy. If untreated, it results in impairment of both physical and mental development.What is Thyroid storm?
Thyroid storm is a life-threatening health condition that is associated with untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism. During thyroid storm, an individual's heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature can soar to dangerously high levels. Without prompt, aggressive treatment, thyroid storm is often fatal.Which hormone is responsible for cretinism?
Thyroid hormone is responsible for the metabolism and growth of the body. The deficiency of thyroxin causes cretinism. Iodine is the precursor for the thyroxine. Deficiency of iodine in the diet causes underdevelopment of thyroid gland.What do you mean by euthyroid?
Medical Definition of Euthyroid Euthyroid: The state of having normal thyroid gland function. As opposed to hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroid (underactive thyroid). 
