Question

A pregnant female delivers a baby who suffers from stunted growth, mental retardation, low intelligence quotient and abnormal skin. It is due to

• A. Oversecretion of pars distalis
• B. Deficiency of iodine in diet
• C. Low secretion of growth hormone
• D. Cancer of thyroid gland

Answer 1

The correct option is B Deficiency of iodine in diet

Stunted growth, mental retardation, low intelligence quotient and abnormal skin are symptoms of cretinism that occurs due to deficiency of thyroid hormones. A child receives hormones from his mother so he will appear normal at the beginning but after few weeks or months, retarded mental and physical development can be seen. Thyroid hormone thyroxine needs iodine for synthesis. If iodine is low in diet, less thyroxine will be secreted leading to hypothyroidism and this will result in cretinism.

So, the correct answer is 'Deficiency of iodine in diet'.