Question

Cretinism is due to

• A. Excess growth hormone
• B. Absence of insulin
• C. Excess of adrenalin
• D. Hyposecretion of thyroid in childhood

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Hyposecretion of thyroid in childhood

Cretinism is caused by the hypersecretion of thyroid hormones in infants. A cretin has markedly reduced metabolic rate and oxidation. This leads to slow heartbeat, lower blood pressure, decrease in body temperature, stunted growth, mental retardation, awkward body with the pot belly, protruding tongue and pigeon chest and retarded sexual development. The disorder can be treated by an early administration of thyroid hormones.

Excess of growth hormone from childhood causes gigantism with abnormal height and long bones.

Deficiency of insulin causes diabetes mellitus in which the patient cannot use or store glucose. The glucose accumulates in the blood from where it is excreted by kidneys in urine. Glucose increases osmotic pressure of urine, causing loss of water from the body in urine.

Excess of adrenalin is rare but it causes rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety, excessive sweating and palpitations.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.