Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Jan 2012)

Cretinism revisited

  • Ankit Srivastav,
  • Indira Maisnam,
  • Deep Dutta,
  • Sujoy Ghosh,
  • Satinath Mukhopadhyay,
  • Subhankar Chowdhury

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.104081
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 8
pp. 336 – 337

Abstract

Read online

Objective: Cretinism is a condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism. It has been largely eliminated in the developed world, though we still continue to see cases in India. Case Report: A 22-year-old male was brought to our Endocrine clinic by his brother due to his "not growing up." The patient was 83 cm in height (SDS - 16.98) and weighed 13.9 kg (150 IU/ml, free T4 and T3 below the assay range. Ultrasound of neck showed absent thyroid tissue in neck. Iodine-131 uptake scan was consistent with thyroid aplasia. Diagnosis was myxematous cretinism due to thyroid aplasia was made, and patient was started on thyroxine supplementation. Conclusion: This case represents the most severe form of untreated congenital hypothyroidism presenting as severely stunted physical and mental growth with delayed bone and sexual maturation.

Keywords