Transcript Cretinism (congenital hypothyroidism)

Chris McCutcheon
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Cretinism is when the brain and
skeleton stop developing at a
young age.
Symptoms.
 Large anterior fontanels.
 Thickened skin.
 Enlarged tongue.
 Poor muscle tone.
 Hoarse cry.
 Protruding abdomen.
 Short legs or arms.
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Every child that is born today is tested for
Cretinism.
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Very early diagnosis will most likely results in
a good outcome. Newborns that are diagnosed
and treated within the first month slowly
develop normal intelligence.
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Replacement therapy is the standard treatment
of hypothyroidism. Once medication starts,
thyroid blood tests are done to make sure
levels are within normal range.
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This is a condition due to inadequate secretion
of thyroid hormones during fetal life or early
infancy. The brain and skeleton fail to develop
properly, resulting in mental retardation and
dwarfism. It is due to congenital deficiency in
the secretion of hormone thyroxine from the
thyroid gland. It is caused due to insufficient
amount of iodine in the diet of the child?s
mother during pregnancy.

Anne Matthews, RN, PhD
Director, Genetic Counseling and Family
Studies
Associate Professor
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University
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http://www.eradiography.net/radpath/c/cretinism.htm
http://howshealth.com/cretinism/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science
http://www.healthcaremagic.com/healthpage
/cretinism