A medical condition caused by severe thyroid hormone deficiency, resulting in stunted growth, developmental delays, and other physical and mental symptoms if untreated.
From cretin (affected individual) plus -ism, indicating a disease or condition. Crétin likely comes from French (possibly meaning 'Christian') from Swiss regions where the condition was common.
Cretinism is a modern medical victory—iodized salt (started in 1920s) has nearly eliminated this condition in developed countries, but it still affects thousands worldwide in regions without iodine supplementation.
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