Cretinism is due to

Options

A. hyposecretion of thyroxine in adult
B. hypersecretion of thyroxine in childhood
C. hypersecretion of thyroid in adult
D. hyposecretion of thyroxine in childhood

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cretinism**: Cretinism is a condition that arises primarily due to severe hypothyroidism, particularly in infants or children.

2. **Identifying the Cause**: The main cause of Cretinism is maternal iodine deficiency during pregnancy. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, and its deficiency can lead to insufficient levels of these hormones in the developing fetus.

3. **Impact of Hypothyroidism**: When there is a lack of thyroid hormones (specifically thyroxine), it affects the growth and development of the child. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Lack of weight gain
- Stunted growth
- Fatigue
- Poor feeding
- Reduced crying in infants

4. **Conclusion**: Therefore, Cretinism is primarily due to maternal iodine deficiency leading to hyposecretion of thyroxine in the child.

5. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is that Cretinism is due to maternal iodine deficiency.