Final answer:
Congenital hypothyroidism results from an underdeveloped thyroid gland leading to cretinism in children, often caused by iodine deficiency or autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congenital hypothyroidism is characterized by incomplete development of the thyroid gland that results in primary congenital hypothyroidism. In children, this condition can lead to cretinism, which is marked by symptoms such as dwarfism, a thick tongue and skin and sexual underdevelopment. The dysfunction may occur due to various reasons including iodine deficiency, pituitary or hypothalamus problems, or autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Iodine deficiency specifically leads to an inability to synthesize the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 and may cause goiter due to overproduction of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in a failed attempt to stimulate hormone production.