Question 1

i want to know what is the difference between cretinism and congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Cause vs Effect: Congenital hypothyroidism means that an infant is born without the ability to make thyroid hormone.  Cretinism is the syndrome of physical abnormalities and profound mental retardation that are the result of lack of thyroid hormone.  If the hypothyroidism is identified soon after birth, and the infant is treated with thyroid hormone, cretinism will not occur.

Question 2

is congenital hypothyroidism a sort of cretinism?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Cretinism or cretin was the term years ago to describe infants with the constellation of symptoms expressed in untreated congenital hypothyroidism.The term is a bit archaic, and has a derogatory connotation attached to its use.I seldom see the term used any more & haven't seen it in research literature in decades.

Question 3

is it true that congenital hypothyroidism is a type of cretinism?

Accepted Answer

Old term: The term cretin is an old term often used as a slang for the mentally defective kids in foundling homes or institutions.It arose at a time before laboratory testing found that many had congenital hypothyroidism. The term furfuraceous cretin was often a subtype ascribed to kids with down syndrome. Present scientific papers and discussions rarely use the term any more.

Question 4

what causes congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Underdevelopment...: Congenital thyroid dysplasia, poor development of thyroid gland  in utero, leads to congenital hypothyroidism.

Question 5

how do you get congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Genetic &amp; sporadic: Hi. Congenital hypothyroidism left untreated is disastrous for the patient (cretinism). In the US, we screen all neonates for hypothyroidism. The only patient with cretinism I've seen was born in Mexico, where they don't screen neonates; it was tragic. There are known genes that can cause congenital hypothyroidism either in the homozygous recessive state or heterozygous dominant state. Screen!!!

Question 6

any good websites for congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Try hormones.org: This is the official website of the hormone foundation of the endocrine society, specializing in patient education on endocrine issues. Good luck!

Question 7

what are the tests for congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Blood tests: Each state has certain screening tests for newborns to identify treatable conditions that can lead to irreversible damage if undetected.  All states mandate testing for congenital hypothyroidism.  This is done by testing blood obtained by a heel stick.  Read more here:  http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/newborn_screening.

Question 8

what sort of disease is congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Hormone deficiency: Mutation in the genes needed for making thyroid hormone can result in deficiency of the hormone even in the uterus.  The disease interferes with normal development, including that of the brain and the newborn may be a cretin.

Question 9

do any drs know a lot about congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Vague post: The issue is taught in basic courses in any medical school. Some pediatricians or pediatric endocrinologists have a lot of ongoing experience with diagnosis &amp; treatment. When you post on this site the more detail you include in your question the more likely someone can focus on your real question. Why are you concerned ? Is this about a specific patient/diagnosis/treatment?

Question 10

foods to avoid if your baby has congenital hypothyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Please avoid excessive intake of foods with very high iodine content like seaweed or goitrogens like in brassica vegetables. Luckily, in a normal diet, it is impossible to feed your baby too much of these foods.

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Is there a difference between cretinism and congenital hypothyroidism

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I want to know what is the difference between cretinism and congenital hypothyroidism?

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Is congenital hypothyroidism a sort of cretinism?

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Is it true that congenital hypothyroidism is a type of cretinism?

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What causes congenital hypothyroidism?

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How do you get congenital hypothyroidism?

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Any good websites for congenital hypothyroidism?

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What are the tests for congenital hypothyroidism?

A member asked:

What sort of disease is congenital hypothyroidism?

A member asked:

Do any drs know a lot about congenital hypothyroidism?

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Foods to avoid if your baby has congenital hypothyroidism?

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