What is the primary cause of Cretinism?

Cretinism, a condition characterized by severe intellectual disability and developmental delays, is primarily caused by iodine deficiency during pregnancy or early childhood. Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and insufficient levels can lead to hypothyroidism.

In pregnant women, a lack of iodine can result in inadequate thyroid hormone production, which is crucial for normal fetal development, particularly for brain growth and maturation. When the developing fetus does not receive sufficient thyroid hormones due to maternal iodine deficiency, it can lead to the manifestations seen in cretinism.

By understanding the importance of iodine in thyroid hormone production, one can appreciate why a deficiency leads to severe outcomes like cretinism. Ensuring adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is a critical public health goal to prevent such developmental disorders.