Neonatal hypothyroidism is defined as decreased production of thyroid hormones in a newborn baby. There are also cases where no thyroid hormone is produced, but such cases are rare. The most common defect is that the thyroid gland is not fully developed. One birth out of 3000 births may have this conditions and twice as many girls as boy are affected. Hypothyroidism in older children presents in much the same way as it does with adults and again, more girls than boys are affected. One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in younger children is dietary iodine deficiency. In adolescents, as with adults, it’s Hashimoto’s disease.
Order your At-Home Thyroid Test NOW! Results in 3 days!
Collect your sample, mail it back in the prepaid envelope, and receive results by email or phone.
Symptoms Of Neonatal Hypothyroidism And Hypothyroidism In Children
The symptoms of neonatal hypothyroidism are difficult to detect because infants are unable to talk and symptoms are generally not present at birth. Diagnosis requires a blood test. Infants who are severely affected may have some specific traits in their appearance; a puffy face, a dull look, a thick tongue, abnormal muscle development or bone length. As the disease progresses, these traits get worse. In addition to these significant symptoms, the infant may also exhibit the following symptoms.
- Dry brittle hair.
- Instances of chocking.
- Lack of tone in muscles.
- Jaundice.
- Low hairline.
- Short height
- Sluggishness in activities.
- Constipation.
- Sleepiness.
- Retarded growth.
- Hoarseness in voice.
- Short legs and arms
- Large soft spots or fontanelles on the skull.
- Wide hands with short fingers.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism in older children are similar to those in adults.
Interesting Questions about Thyroid:
Most patients with hypothyroidism have some degree of associated depression, ranging from mild to severe. 10% – 15% of the patients with a diagnosis of depression may have thyroid hormone deficiency. Patients with depression should be tested to determine if they have a thyroid disorder.
- Several research studies have been done and continue to be done on the association between depression and thyroid disease. Although all forms of depression, including bipolar disorders like manic depression, can be found in either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, depression is more often associated with hypothyroidism. Many patients with hypothyroidism have some degree of associated depression, ranging from mild to severe.
- If a large population of depressed patients was screened, a significant percentage, perhaps 10% – 15%, would be found to have thyroid hormone deficiency. For this reason, patients with a diagnosis of depression should be tested to determine if they have too little thyroid hormone. If they do, thyroid medication should be prescribed.
- Thyroid hormone is sometimes prescribed for depressed patients with normal thyroid function because it magnifies the beneficial effects of certain antidepressants.
- Lithium, a commonly prescribed drug for certain types of depression, has profound effects on the size and function of the thyroid gland. Patients taking lithium need periodic examinations of their thyroid gland and thyroid function.
Hyperthyroidism makes the body speed up. It occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood (“hyper” means “too much”). Nearly 10 times more frequent in women, it affects about 2% of all women in the United States.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, is caused by problems with the immune system and tends to run in families. It affects at least 2.5 million Americans, including Olympic athlete Gail Devers who won a gold medal in track after being diagnosed with and treated for Graves’ disease.
Symptoms include:
- fast heart rate
- nervousness
- increased perspiration
- muscle weakness
- trembling hands
- weight loss
- hair loss
- skin changes
- increased frequency of bowel movements
- decreased menstrual flow and less frequent menstrual flow
- goiter
- eyes that seem to be popping out of their sockets.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism rarely occur all at once. However, if you have more than one of these symptoms, and they continue for some time, you should see your doctor.
There are several different causes of hyperthyroidism:
- The entire thyroid gland may be overactive, producing too much hormone. Doctors call this problem diffuse toxic goiter, or Graves’ disease.
- One or more lumps (also called nodules) in the gland may be overactive. One such lump is called a toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, and several lumps are called a toxic multi-nodular goiter.
- The gland may be inflamed, a condition called thyroiditis. It can release the thyroid hormone that was stored in the gland, causing hyperthyroidism that lasts for a few weeks or months.
- Some patients may take more thyroid hormone pills than needed or prescribed.
- Some drugs, such as Quadrinal®, amiodarone (Cordarone®), and Lugol’s solution, contain large amounts of iodine, a chemical the thyroid uses to produce its hormones, and may cause the thyroid to produce too much hormone.
® Quadrinal is a registered trademark of Knoll Pharmaceutical.
® Cordarone is a registered trademark of Wyeth Labs.
Have more questions? Need more answers? Check our Full Thyroid FAQ
Blood Test For Neonatal Hypothyroidism And Hypothyroidism In Children
A blood test can correctly establish if the new born has hypothyroidism. The blood test is a rather simple procedure in which a blood sample is collected from a skin patch on the heel. In many countries a blood test for neonatal hypothyroidism is done as part of a routine suit of newborn tests. If thyroid abnormalities indicating low thyroid activity are noted, medications are started immediately. If left untreated during this early stage insufficient levels of thyroid hormone can lead to significant brain and neurological defects. To detect hypothyroidism in children, a standard thyroid test is generally done to measure the levels of TSH and thyroid hormones in the blood.
If you are concerned about hypothyroidism in children or neonatal hypothyroidism in a newborn, a pediatrician can conduct a blood test to determine the levels of Thyroxine and thyrotropin in the blood. Children who have congenital hypothyroidism will have lower levels of Thyroptine a hormone that stimulates the thyroid.
Order your At-Home Thyroid Test NOW! Results in 3 days!
Collect your sample, mail it back in the prepaid envelope, and receive results by email or phone.
Early diagnosis of neonatal hypothyroidism is of great importance. Most of the effects of hypothyroidism can be reversed with timely treatment, which is usually Thyroxine. Once the medication is being taken on a regular basis, follow up blood tests are done to ensure that the thyroid hormone levels are in the right range.
Untreated hypothyroidism, even mild cases, can cause irreversible and severe mental and growth retardation if not treated promptly. Fortunately most cases of neonatal hypothyroidism are transient and infants fully recover when their own thyroid production gets into full swing. Hypothyroidism in children can also be successfully treated with the correct hormone replacement therapy.
