Cretinism, now more accurately called congenital hypothyroidism, results from a severe deficiency of thyroid hormones (thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3) during fetal development, infancy, or early childhood. Thyroid hormones are absolutely critical for normal development of the central nervous system and skeletal growth. Deficiency during these critical periods leads to profound and permanent intellectual disability, stunted growth (dwarfism with disproportionate body), coarse facial features, a protruding tongue, hoarse cry, and neurological abnormalities like spasticity. The most common cause worldwide is iodine deficiency in the mother's diet. In developed countries, newborn screening programs allow for early detection and immediate thyroxine replacement therapy, which can prevent the devastating effects if started within the first few weeks of life.

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Zambia

• Joseph Soko – 101 pts

• Visual Pathway Lesions
• Positive and Negative Symptoms
• Hallucinations and Delusions
• Antipsychotic Medications
• Emergency: Environmental Emergencies