Cretinism is due to deficiency of?

BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Cretinism is the medical term for congenital hypothyroidism, a condition resulting from an underactive thyroid gland from birth.
Thyroxine (T4), the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland, is critically important for the development of the brain and skeleton, especially during fetal life and the first few years after birth.
A deficiency of thyroxine during this critical period leads to severe and irreversible physical and mental developmental delays.
Clinical features include short stature, coarse facial features, a protruding tongue, and severe intellectual disability.

Option B: Estrogen is a primary female sex hormone. Its deficiency affects sexual development and reproductive function, not overall physical and mental development in the manner of cretinism.
Option C: Epinephrine (adrenaline) is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress (the 'fight-or-flight' response). It is not involved in long-term growth and development.
Option D: Renin is an enzyme and hormone secreted by the kidneys. It plays a central role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Endocrine Disorders: Congenital Hypothyroidism as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism is a critical public health intervention. A nurse's role includes ensuring the screening is performed and educating parents about the importance of follow-up and lifelong hormone replacement therapy if a diagnosis is made.
Early detection and treatment with levothyroxine (synthetic T4) within the first few weeks of life can prevent the severe intellectual disability associated with cretinism, allowing for normal growth and development.
What if? If hypothyroidism develops in an adult, it is called myxedema. This condition does not cause developmental defects but leads to symptoms like lethargy, weight gain, cold intolerance, and non-pitting edema, which are reversible with treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'Cretinism'.
Recall the definition of cretinism. It is a condition of stunted physical and mental growth.
Connect the condition to its underlying cause, which is a hormonal deficiency present from birth (congenital).
Remember that cretinism is specifically caused by a lack of thyroid hormone.
Evaluate the options provided. Identify which of the listed hormones is the primary thyroid hormone responsible for growth and development.
Select 'Thyroxine' as it is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland, directly linking it to the pathology of cretinism.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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