A child has been diagnosed with cretinism. The most likely cause is:

Question

Accepted Answer

D. {'text': 'Deficiency of thyroxine since birth'}

1. Cretinism is a condition of stunted physical and mental development from infancy.
2. It is caused by a **lack of thyroxine** in early life (often due to iodine deficiency).
3. Excess insulin causes hypoglycaemia, not cretinism; excess adrenaline gives anxiety symptoms.
4. Deficiency of growth hormone causes dwarfism — short stature without mental delay.
5. Hence cretinism is caused by thyroxine deficiency from birth.
_Source: Selina Concise ICSE Class 8 Biology Ch 5 "Endocrine System and Adolescence", Hormone-related disorders_

Answer

{'text': 'Excess insulin from pancreas'}

Answer

{'text': 'Excess adrenaline from adrenal'}

Answer

{'text': 'Deficiency of growth hormone only'}