What severe condition can result from hypothyroidism in children?

Cretinism is a severe condition that can occur as a consequence of untreated hypothyroidism in children, particularly when the deficiency of thyroid hormones happens during critical periods of growth and development, such as in the prenatal and early postnatal stages. If hypothyroidism is not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to significant physical and mental developmental delays, characterized by stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and various physical anomalies.

The condition mainly results from insufficient levels of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for normal growth and brain development. Early diagnosis and treatment with thyroid hormone replacement can significantly reduce the risk of severe developmental issues associated with cretinism.

Other options like hyperactivity, diabetes mellitus, or goiter do not directly correlate with the severe impacts of hypothyroidism in children in the same way as cretinism does. Hyperactivity is typically associated with different neural or psychological factors, diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with its own distinct etiology, and goiter, while associated with thyroid dysfunction, primarily indicates an enlargement of the thyroid gland rather than the severe physical and cognitive impairments found in cretinism.