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therapy (>6 weeks) and those with poor compliance to therapy may have sub-

normal IQ and cognitive score (Fig. 3.9 ).

23. What is cretinism?

Cretinism is a disorder characterized by irreversible mental disability and

poor linear growth due to severe thyroid hormone defi ciency during pre- and/

or early postnatal period (<3 years of age). Cretinism can be endemic or

sporadic. Endemic cretinism is due to severe maternal and fetal iodine defi -

ciency during intrauterine period and manifests as either neurological

or myxedematous cretinism. Sporadic cretinism is a result of long-standing

untreated congenital hypothyroidism as a consequence of thyroid dysgenesis/

dyshormonogenesis.

ab

Fig. 3.9 ( a ) A 14-year-old boy with primary congenital hypothyroidism having short stature, dis-
tended abdomen, and umbilical hernia ( b ). Myxedematous features in the same child

3 Thyroid Disorders in Children