Cretinism is produced when one of the following is deficient

• a) Adrenaline
• b) Growth hormone
• c) Parathormone
• d) Thyroxine

Cretinism is primarily caused by a deficiency in thyroxine, which is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. This condition leads to severe physical and mental developmental issues.

Understanding Cretinism

Cretinism is a form of severe hypothyroidism that occurs in infants and children. It can result from a lack of thyroid hormones, particularly thyroxine.

Key Hormones and Their Roles

• Adrenaline: Involved in the body's fight-or-flight response.
• Growth Hormone: Essential for growth and development but not directly linked to cretinism.
• Parathormone: Regulates calcium levels in the blood.
• Thyroxine: Crucial for metabolism and development; its deficiency leads to cretinism.

In summary, a lack of thyroxine is the primary cause of cretinism, affecting growth and cognitive function in affected individuals.