Question

Cretinism in young children is due to lack of

• A. Vitamin D
• B. Growth hormone
• C. Calcitonin
• D. Thyroxine

Answer 1

The correct option is D Thyroxine

Vitamin D deficiency in young children causes rickets which is characterized by muscles weakness, pain, fractures and delayed motor development. This makes option A incorrect. GH is the growth hormone, secreted by anterior pituitary, which targets soft tissues and bones and serves to stimulate cell division, protein synthesis and bone growth. Dwarfism is caused by underproduction of GH in childhood and is characterized by perfect proportions but small stature. This makes option B incorrect. Calcitonin hormone, secreted by thyroid gland in response to increased blood calcium level, stimulates temporary reduction in number and activity of osteoclasts and thereby reducing the blood calcium level to normal. Calcitonin deficiency causes calcium rigor characterized by higher blood calcium level and uncontrolled muscles contraction. This makes option C incorrect. Cretinism is caused by underdeveloped thyroid gland with insufficient thyroxine production and is characterized by short and stocky stature due to hypothyroidism since infancy or childhood. This makes option D correct.