cretinism
nounEtymology From cretin + -ism.
1
Medicine, Sciences Archaic A condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to the untreated congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones.
- Cretinism is a form of amentia, which is endemic in certain districts, especially in some of the valleys of Switzerland, Savoy, and France.1922, W. G. Aitchison Robertson, Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 9th edition, page 69:
- Synonyms
- congenital iodine deficiency syndrome
- Related terms
- hypothyroidism