CRETIN
Disease information
CRETIN
Cretinism.
During fetal
development
and neonatal hormone secreted by the
thyroid
gland is
essential
for
normal
growth and maturation of the brain.
For the production of these hormones is
essential
the
Iodine
(I) when incorporated in its molecule.
When, usually by dietary causes, the
mother
can not provide enough
iodine
to the fetus or infant brain
development
and somatic suffers, which configures cretinism.
Causes.
Deficiency
of
iodine
in the diet.
This is
common
in remote mountainous areas of the sea in underdeveloped countries. It
was
the cause of the high incidence of this alteration in the region of the Hurdes.
Use of medications, including
lithium
, which suppress the
function
of the
thyroid
in the
mother
and fetus. The untreated
hypothyroidism
in pregnant women.
Idiopathic
(cause unknown)
Signs and symptoms.
The child at birth deformities presents significant morphological:
Macroglossia (
tongue
too big for his mouth)
Thickening of the skin.
Shortly hair and fragile.
Peculiar head (the skull is large in proportion to the face, with the big jaw, which gives you an aspect of 8.
The boy is "calm", little crying.
Decreased appetite.
Take
weight
easily, despite the lack of hunger,
but
it grows little (dissociation of the curves of
weight
and height)
Reducing the
tolerance
to cold.
Slow
heartbeat
, fast or irregular.
Constipation.
Mental confusion including
depression
,
psychosis
or lack of memory.
Fluid retention, especially around the eyes.
Facial expression sad and droopy eyelids.
Anemia
.
Tingling and numbness in hands and feet.
Hoarse voice or profound.
Swollen legs.
Risk Factors.
A
lack of
iodine
in the diet is the most frequent.
Those who cause
hypothyroidism
in the
mother
:
Obesity
.
Surgery for
hyperthyroidism
.
Treatments with X - ray.
Exposure to radioactivity.
Treatment with
lithium
salts.
Prevention.
The most important, the supplement of iodized salt in remote mountainous areas of the sea to pregnant women.
The appropriate treatment of the states in
hypothyroid
women dela since before conception.
Diagnosis and Treatment.
General Measures.
The general appearance of the infant directed toward the diagnosis.
Laboratory blood tests of
thyroid
hormones.
The treatment of
hypothyroidism
after birth stops the evolution of abnormalities,
but
does not restore brain
function
lost.
Medication.
A
properly Yodo supplementation usually enough, generally recovering
thyroid
function
.
Complications.
Irreversible brain
disorders
.
Excessive
weight
gain.
Infertility
.
Mixedematoso coma - complications with death threat from
hypothyroidism
.
Increased susceptibility to
infection
.
Forecast.
As we have indicated, the deterioration of brain
function
occurred in utero (before birth) is not recoverable, so it is always an important mental retardation.
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