Cretinism is severe mental and physical retardation of an infant due to a lack of ______ while the mother was pregnant.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cretinism is caused by a lack of iodine during pregnancy, leading to an underactive thyroid in the developing fetus. This results in severe mental and physical retardation. Iron, folate, selenium, and potassium deficiencies may also have negative impacts on fetal development, but they would not specifically lead to the condition of cretinism.

Cretinism Is Severe Mental and Physical Retardation of an Infant