Which of the following is not a hereditary disease

Options

A. Cystic fibrosis
B. Thalassemia
C. Haemophilia
D. Cretinism

Answer

To determine which of the following is not a hereditary disease, we need to analyze each option provided in the question.

1. **Cystic Fibrosis**: This is an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder. It occurs when an individual inherits a mutated copy of the gene associated with cystic fibrosis from both parents. Therefore, cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease.

2. **Thalassemia**: This is also an autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterized by a lower than normal amount of hemoglobin, which is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood. Since thalassemia is inherited through genetic mutations, it is considered a hereditary disease.

3. **Haemophilia**: This is a sex-linked recessive disorder. The gene responsible for haemophilia is located on the X chromosome. Males, having one X and one Y chromosome, are affected by this disorder if they inherit the mutated gene. Thus, haemophilia is also a hereditary disease.

4. **Cretinism**: Also known as congenital hypothyroidism, cretinism is caused by a severe deficiency of thyroid hormone in newborns. It leads to impaired neurological function and physical deformities. However, it is not primarily inherited; rather, it results from environmental factors or maternal health issues during pregnancy. Therefore, cretinism is not classified as a hereditary disease.

Based on the analysis, the answer to the question "Which of the following is not a hereditary disease?" is **Cretinism** (Option 4).