How Do You Spell CRETINOID IDIOCY?

Pronunciation: [kɹˈɛtɪnˌɔ͡ɪd ˈɪdɪˌɒsi] (IPA)

Cretinoid idiocy is a term used to describe a medical condition in which a person exhibits severe mental retardation and stunted physical growth due to iodine deficiency. The spelling of this term, when broken down phonetically using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), is kri.təˈnɔɪd ˈɪdi.əsi. The term 'cretinoid' is pronounced as kri.təˈnɔɪd and 'idiocy' as ˈɪdi.əsi. The term is rarely used today, as iodine deficiency is no longer prevalent in developed countries. Instead, the term intellectual disability is used to describe similar conditions.

CRETINOID IDIOCY Meaning and Definition

1. Cretinoid idiocy is a medical term used to describe a severe form of intellectual disability that is characterized by profound mental retardation and physical abnormalities, typically resulting from congenital hypothyroidism. A person with cretinoid idiocy typically exhibits significantly below-average cognitive abilities and impaired social and adaptive functioning.

   Individuals with cretinoid idiocy often display physical signs such as short stature, impaired motor skills, coarse facial features, thickened facial skin, protruding tongue, and slowed growth. These physical manifestations are attributed to the insufficient levels of thyroid hormones that are crucial for normal brain development and overall growth.

   The term "cretinoid" is derived from "cretin," which historically referred to a person with congenital hypothyroidism. However, the term is now considered outdated and sometimes offensive. "Idiocy" denotes severe mental impairment, suggesting an overall lack of intellectual functioning.

   The condition is typically diagnosed at birth or shortly after based on the presence of physical characteristics and confirmed through blood tests to assess thyroid hormone levels. Treatment consists of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, usually with the synthetic hormone levothyroxine, which helps improve physical development and intellectual functioning if initiated early in life.

   While the term "cretinoid idiocy" may not be commonly used in contemporary medical literature, it serves as a historical descriptor for a severe form of intellectual disability resulting from untreated or inadequately treated congenital hypothyroidism. The understanding and management of this condition have improved over time, and the term is often replaced by more modern and sensitive terminologies, such as "congenital hypothyroidism" or "severe intellectual disability associated with hypothyroidism."

2. Cretinism.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CRETINOID IDIOCY

• cretinoid idiocq
• cretinoid idiocx
• cretinnoididiocy
• c retinoid idiocy
• cr etinoid idiocy
• cre tinoid idiocy
• cret inoid idiocy
• creti noid idiocy
• cretin oid idiocy
• cretino id idiocy
• cretinoi d idiocy
• cretinoid i diocy
• cretinoid id iocy
• cretinoid idi ocy
• cretinoid idio cy
• cretinoid idioc y

Etymology of CRETINOID IDIOCY

The term "cretinoid idiocy" is a medical term used to describe a condition called cretinism, which is a severe form of mental and physical impairment that occurs due to untreated congenital iodine deficiency.

The word "cretin" itself originated from the French dialectal word "crétin", which referred to a person with physical and mental disabilities. It is believed to have derived from the Swiss French word "christain", meaning "Christian" in English. This etymology likely stems from the compassionate role of the Church in caring for individuals with disabilities during medieval times.

The term "idiocy" refers to a state of extreme intellectual disability. Although the exact etymology of "idiocy" is uncertain, it is derived from the Greek word "idiotes", which referred to a private person or layperson. Over time, the term's meaning evolved to denote someone who lacked education or understanding.