Treatment of Cretinism
- Oral levothyroxine: the hormone replacement therapy includes administering l-thyroxine tablets orally. The dosage and...
- Clinical evaluation: the baby should be clinically evaluated every few months during the first three years of the life.
- Diet supplementation: iodine should be added in diet in iodine deficient area in the form of iodized salt.
What causes cretinism in newborns?
Cretinism in newborn is due to severe prenatal iodine deficiency during pregnancy caused by inadequate thyroid hormone production (congenital hypothyroidism or fetal hypothyroidism). Congenital hypothyroidism can be endemic, genetic, or sporadic.
How to prevent cretinism during pregnancy?
Having a diet that’s rich in iodine is necessary, especially for pregnant women to prevent cretinism. Foods such as seaweed, shellfish, and ocean fish can help increase iodine levels in the body. Moreover, dairy products and eggs are also good sources of iodine.
What is cretinism and how is it treated?
Cretinism is a medical condition in which hypothyroidism occurs early in life. It is a disease of thyroid gland where levels of thyroid hormones in the blood is low (hypothyroidism) since birth. If left untreated it can cause stunted physical and mental growth. It is also known as congenital hypothyroidism.
What are the signs of cretinism in babies?
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.
How is infant hypothyroidism treated?
Congenital hypothyroidism is treated by giving thyroid hormone medication in a pill form called levothyroxine. Many children will require treatment for life. Levothyroxine should be crushed and given once daily, mixed with a small amount of water, formula, or breast milk using a dropper or syringe.
What is the drug of choice for newborns with congenital hypothyroidism?
Recommended starting dose of levothyroxine for congenital hypothyroidism is 10 to 15 μg/kg/day. Newborns with elevated TSH should be treated empirically with thyroid hormone replacement until they are aged 2 years to eliminate any possibility of permanent cognitive deficits caused by hypothyroidism.
What is cretinism disease write its symptom and treatment?
Cretinism is a disease caused by hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency in diet during pregnancy is the major cause of cretinism. Hypothyroidism leads to impaired development of the growing fetus and leads to mental retardation and stunted growth.
How is pediatric hypothyroidism treated?
In most cases, hypothyroidism can be treated with thyroid hormone replacement pills (levothyroxine). Levothyroxine is chemically identical to thyroxine (T4), which occurs naturally in our bodies, and replenishes your child's thyroid hormone levels to normal as long as it is taken as prescribed.
How do you give a newborn thyroxine?
You can give levothyroxine to your baby by following these steps:Crush the entire pill with the back of a spoon or with a pill crusher.Put the entire crushed pill into the nipple of a bottle. Add a small amount of breast milk, formula or water to the nipple.Feed your baby with the nipple as you normally do.
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 cretinism medical?
Acretin, from the French chrétien (Christian), is defined in Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary (1) as “one who is human despite deformities”. The medical definition of cretinism is untreated congenital hypothyroidism, with or without a goiter.
What causes cretinism kids?
Iodine deficiency is well known as cause of cretinism in fetus and newborn, characterized by low birth weight, short stature, mental retardation, deaf, and/or mutism. Iodine deficiency in later period of life causes goiter commonly seen in low iodine intake region.
Why is cretinism called cretinism?
From the 18th century, 'cretinism' became the common term for the disease in French medical texts. The word's origin is uncertain but may derive from the French 'chrétien' ('Christian'), a common greeting in the French Alps – or perhaps a term used as a reminder of the basic humanity of the sufferers.
When should a child be treated for hypothyroidism?
In the most common clinical scenario of autoimmune SH, treatment with L-T4 should be started for all children affected by severe forms (TSH level >10 mIU/L) or among those with mild SH in the presence of goiter or the signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism.
What form of hypothyroidism is found in infants?
Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most common and preventable causes of intellectual disability. Because most newborns show no signs of it, the condition is usually detected during routine newborn screening, which is mandatory at U.S. hospitals.
Can thyroid be treated in kids?
It produces hormones that control brain development and growth in babies, and regulates metabolism as the child gets older. The most common thyroid problems are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules, which are all treatable.
1. 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...
2. Why does cretinism cause mental retardation?
Iodine deficiency is the single most common cause of preventable mental retardation in the world. This view implies that anyone who is iodine defic...
3. What are some of the associated conditions and complications that may be exhibited by individuals...
If the condition is not treated quickly, infants born with highly inactive thyroid glands can exhibit intellectual disability Each month that goes...
4. What is the difference between the term’s congenital hypothyroidism and myxedema?
The condition of highly inactive thyroid glands in adults is known as myxedema. The term is also used to describe skin changes caused by low thyroi...
5. What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?
The term hypothyroidism is used to describe the underactive thyroid glands in an individual. Few symptoms to identify hypothyroidism are :In female...
What are the two types of cretinism?
Types of Cretinism. The medical condition cretinism is distinguished into two types: Congenital Cretinism: The rate of incidence is 1:3000 to 1:4000 in an iodine-deficient endemic area. This mainly due to the defect in the genes which is responsible for encoding the various enzymes involved in the thyroid hormone synthesis such as thyroglobulin, ...
What is the meaning of the word "cretin"?
Introduction. The word cretin is termed as the iodine deficiency disorder which is associated with insufficient intake of the thyroid hormone activity that occurs during the fetal, infant or childhood phases. The word cretin is derived from the French word chrétien, literally meaning “Christian” or “Christ like” as the diseased were mentally ...
Does cretinism affect children?
This type of cretinism majorly affects the children who live in the geographical settings where iodine is deficient, and it is not corrected by either supplementing iodine or thyroid hormone to regain normal thyroid hormone levels during early life.
Can cretinism be caused by hypothyroidism?
Maternal hypothyroidism may also cause neonatal cretinism. Hypothyroidism may result from treatment of hyperthyroidism using antithyroid drugs or radioactive iodine.
Where does the word "cretin" come from?
The word cretin is derived from the French word chrétien, literally meaning “Christian” or “Christ like” as the diseased were mentally retarded and incapable of doing sin. This medical condition affects the humans differently according to the age it is being affected.
Can you give birth to cretinism while pregnant?
Iodine intake as low as 25 mcg/day during pregnancy would be a potential risk factor for giving birth to cretinism neonates.
Why do newborns have cretinism?
Cretinism causes. Cretinism in newborn is due to severe prenatal iodine deficiency during pregnancy caused by inadequate thyroid hormone production (congenital hypothyroidism or fetal hypothyroidism). Congenital hypothyroidism can be endemic, genetic, or sporadic.
What are the different types of cretinism?
There are two main types of cretinism 9). Neurological cretinism is characterized by mental retardation, deaf mutism, squint, spastic diplegia, and disorders of stance and gait. Myxoedematous or hypothyroid cretinism is less common and characterized by mental retardation (although less severe than in neurological cretinism), dwarfism, and hypothyroidism with associated physical symptoms (e.g., coarse and dry skin, husky voice, delayed sexual maturation). Some countries and regions have a higher prevalence of one type of cretinism than the other, and sometimes the symptoms of both types of cretinism can manifest in the same individual. A study of 112 cretins (neurological, myxoedematous, and mixed) living in Thailand reported that their mean IQ score was 30.8 ± 8.8 10). In addition to the presence of cretins in a community, Chen and Hetzel 11) state that mild mental retardation (IQ 50–69) is found in 5–15 % of children living in areas of endemic cretinism; these children are sometimes referred to as ‘sub-cretins’.
What is the term for a child's brain that is severely stunted?
Cretinism. Cretinism is an irreversible brain damage, irreversible mental retardation and severely stunted physical growth in an infant or child due to severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy caused by inadequate thyroid hormone production (congenital hypothyroidism) 1). Cretinism is due to dietary iodine deficiency and can be prevented by ...
Where is cretinism most common?
Endemic cretinism was especially common in areas of southern Europe around the Alps, Bangladesh, China, and Nepal. Sporadic and genetic cretinism results from abnormal development, or function of the fetal thyroid gland 12).
What are the characteristics of neurologic cretinism?
The three characteristic features of neurological endemic cretinism in its fully developed form are extremely severe mental deficiency together with squint, deaf mutism, spastic diplegia and disorders of stance and gait.
Is myxedematatous cretinism a mental disorder?
Myxedematatous cretinism or hypothyroid cretinism may present with mental retardation (although less severe than in neurological cretinism), severe growth retardation (dwarfism), incomplete maturation of the facial features, including the naso-orbital configuration, atrophy of the mandibles, puffy features (myxedema) and hypothyroidism with associated physical symptoms (e.g., thickened and dry skin, dry and decreased hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, husky voice and much delayed sexual maturation). Goiter is usually absent and the thyroid is often not palpable, suggesting thyroid atrophy. Thyroidal uptake of radioiodine is much lower than in the general population. The serum levels of T4 and T3 are extremely low, often undetectable, and TSH is dramatically high. Markedly enlarged sella turcicae have been demonstrated.
What is cretinism in infants?
Cretinism, also known as congenital hypothyroidism (CH), is a condition where a newborn infant does not have a fully functional thyroid gland. While these terms are now used interchangeably, cretinism is medically defined to be an untreated case of CH, with or without a goiter.
What is the condition where a newborn does not have a fully functioning thyroid gland?
Cretinism, also known as congenital hypothyroidism (CH), is a condition where a newborn infant does not have a fully functional thyroid gland. Thyroid dysgenesis is pointed to be the leading cause of the disease, as well as dyshormonogenesis.
What is the best medicine for fever in children?
For treatment of fever or pain in children, consider giving your child infants' or children's over-the-counter fever and pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). These are safer alternatives to aspirin.
How to keep a baby's nose clear?
If you're breastfeeding your baby, keep it up. Breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs. Suction your baby's nose. Keep your baby's nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb syringe to expel the air.
How to get mucus out of a baby's nose?
Release the bulb, holding it in place while it suctions the mucus from your baby's nose. Remove the syringe from your baby's nostril and empty the contents onto a tissue by squeezing the bulb rapidly while holding the tip down. Repeat as often as needed for each nostril. Clean the bulb syringe with soap and water.
How to schedule a baby appointment?
Make a list of: 1 Symptoms you've noticed in your baby, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. 2 Key personal information, such as whether your baby goes to child care or has otherwise been exposed to someone with a common cold. Include how many colds your baby has had, how long they lasted and whether your baby is exposed to secondhand smoke. It might help to make a note on your calendar the day you realize your baby has a cold. 3 All medications, vitamins or supplements your baby is taking, including dosages. 4 Questions to ask your doctor.
How old can a baby be to take ibuprofen?
For children younger than 3 months old, don't give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor. Don't give ibuprofen to a child younger than 6 months old or to children who are vomiting constantly or are dehydrated. Use these medications for the shortest time.
How to help an older baby with cold?
To make your baby as comfortable as possible, try some of these suggestions: Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration. Formula or breast milk is the best choice. Encourage your baby to take in the usual amount of fluids.
Can you give a child aspirin?
If you give your child a pain reliever, follow the dosing guidelines carefully. Call your doctor if you have questions about the right dosage for your baby. Children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin.