How Does Hypothyroidism Affect The Maturation And Development Of A Growing Baby?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Deprivation of the maternal thyroid hormone due to hypothyroidism can have irreversible effects on the fetus. Early studies found that children born to mothers with hypothyroidism during pregnancy had lower IQ and impaired psychomotor (mental and motor) development.

What does hypothyroidism do to a baby?

Hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone deficiency. Symptoms in infants include poor feeding and growth failure ; symptoms in older children and adolescents are similar to those of adults but also include growth failure, delayed puberty, or both.

How does hypothyroidism affect the maturation and development of a growing baby generally seen during pregnancy Class 11?

During pregnancy, hypothyroidism causes defective maturation and development of the fetus, that induces a stunted growth, low Intelligence Quotient(IQ), mental retardation, deaf-mutism, abnormal skin, etc.

Does thyroid affect baby during pregnancy?

Untreated thyroid conditions during pregnancy are linked to serious problems , including premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth. If your thyroid condition is treated during pregnancy, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

How does hypothyroidism affect development?

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone . It’s the most common thyroid disorder in children. Not enough thyroid hormone leads to signs such as slow growth, lack of activity, and poor performance in school.

Can babies grow out of hypothyroidism?

Some babies born with congenital hypothyroidism may need lifelong treatment to support normal growth and development but others will likely outgrow the condition .

What causes thyroid problems in babies?

Some infants are born with temporary hypothyroidism . This can be caused by things such as premature birth, thyroid disease in the mother, or medicines the mother had during pregnancy. This form of hypothyroidism usually goes away by itself in the first weeks or months of life.

Why does hypothyroidism happen during pregnancy?

Hypothyroidism can occur during pregnancy due to the initial presentation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis , inadequate treatment of a woman already known to have hypothyroidism from a variety of causes, or over-treatment of a hyperthyroid woman with anti-thyroid medications.

What causes congenital hypothyroidism in newborns?

The most common cause worldwide is a shortage of iodine in the diet of the mother and the affected infant. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Genetic causes account for about 15 to 20 percent of cases of congenital hypothyroidism.

What happens if TSH is high during pregnancy?

Thyroid hormone has an important role in brain development of the baby during pregnancy. It is clear that overt hypothyroidism (increased TSH levels and low thyroid hormone levels) in the mother, especially early in pregnancy, can affect the baby’s brain development or cause other problems with the pregnancy.

Can hypothyroidism cause preterm labor?

Conclusions: Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease in euthyroid women are associated with preterm delivery. A single intervention trial has documented a dramatic decrease in the incidence of preterm delivery in thyroid antibody-positive women treated with levothyroxine.

Is hypothyroidism considered high risk pregnancy?

But if your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, you and your baby are at risk. Studies have linked untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy to an increased risk of miscarriage and premature delivery.

How does maternal hypothyroidism affect fetus?

Untreated maternal hypothyroidism can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, and respiratory distress in the neonate . Enough evidence has accumulated over the years about the role of thyroxine in normal development of the fetal brain.

Can hypothyroidism affect children?

While the condition typically develops in adult life — its incidence increases with age — congenital hypothyroidism can occur in children and even newborns . One out of every 4,000 to 5,000 thousand babies born in the United States has hypothyroidism. Undiagnosed hypothyroid children may experience slowed growth rate.

Can thyroid issues be genetic?

Thyroid disease is often hereditary

And the higher the chances the patient will experience a thyroid problem.” Autoimmune disorders seem to be a genetic link for some of the familial thyroid disorders, he notes.

Does hyperthyroidism stunt growth?

In children, hyperthyroidism can affect growth , puberty development and the bones. Hyperthyroidism is very rare in a baby.

Can thyroid problems cause developmental delay?

Iodine deficiency is known to increase the risk of impaired mental function and delayed physical development in children, due to disturbances in thyroid hormone production [1].

Does thyroid affect newborn?

Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when a newborn infant is born without the ability to make normal amounts of thyroid hormone . The condition occurs in about 1 in 3,000-4,000 children, is most often permanent and treatment is lifelong.

What are side effects of levothyroxine?

  • weight gain or loss.
  • headache.
  • vomiting.
  • diarrhea.
  • changes in appetite.
  • fever.
  • changes in menstrual cycle.
  • sensitivity to heat.

What form of hypothyroidism is found in infants?

There are two types of hypothyroidism in infants and children: Congenital hypothyroidism , which is present at birth, and acquired hypothyroidism, which develops after birth, usually during late childhood or adolescence. Congenital hypothyroidism affects 1 in 1,500-3,000 newborns in the U.S. each year.

Can hypothyroidism cause weight gain in pregnancy?

Facts about hypothyroidism and pregnancy

Hypothyroidism is a condition marked by an underactive thyroid gland and may be present during pregnancy. Many symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to pregnancy symptoms. For example, fatigue, weight gain, and abnormal menstruation are common to both.

What are the risk factors of congenital hypothyroidism?

The most important prognostic factors which had significant effect on congenital hypothyroidism included twin, birth season, maturity, jaundice at birth, birth weight, age at pregnancy, maternal anemia and goiter, gestational age, delivery type, father’s education and smoking status, and consanguinity .

Can I have a healthy pregnancy with hypothyroidism?

“Hypo” means the thyroid is underactive. Learn more about hypothyroidism in pregnancy. If you have thyroid problems, you can still have a healthy pregnancy and protect your baby’s health by having regular thyroid function tests and taking any medicines that your doctor prescribes.

How long does it take to get pregnant after starting levothyroxine?

When hypothyroidism is the reason for infertility, taking thyroid medication will enable most women to conceive, from as soon as six weeks after treatment , according to a study published in February 2015 in the IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences.

Can undiagnosed postpartum hypothyroidism affect the growth development of a Foetus?

Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage , intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight, perinatal mortality and pre-eclampsia. Thyroxine may reduce associated risks.

Does thyroid medication affect pregnancy?

Levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that’s safe for your baby, is the standard treatment. It poses no danger to your developing baby. If you’re pregnant, you must continue to take levothyroxine and stay in close contact with your doctor .

Can Graves disease cause premature birth?

Graves disease usually gets worse in the first half of pregnancy. It gets better in the second half, and then gets worse again after delivery. It’s important to keep your thyroid levels normal. Hyperthyroidism that is out of control may lead to preterm birth.

What is pediatric hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in which your child’s thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone . A child with an underactive thyroid may experience fatigue, weight gain, constipation, decreased growth, and a host of other issues.

Can hypothyroidism cause autism?

There has been a report that low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) in babies is possibly associated with the development of autism . Prior studies have shown that low thyroid levels in the mother during pregnancy has been associated with brain abnormalities in the baby.

Can hyperthyroid cause preterm labor?

Conclusion: Both overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with a small but statistically significant increase in OR for preterm birth not seen in subclinical hypothyroidism or isolated hypothyroxinemia.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.