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Neonatal hypothyroidism - Overview

Alternative Names

Cretinism; Congenital hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - infants

Definition of Neonatal hypothyroidism:

Neonatal hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid hormone production in a newborn. In very rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced.

If the baby was born with the condition, it is called congenital hypothyroidism. If it develops soon after birth, it is called hypothyroidism acquired in the newborn period.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hypothyroidism in the newborn may be caused by:

A missing or poorly developed thyroid gland
A pituitary gland that does not stimulate the thyroid gland
Thyroid hormones that are poorly formed or do not work

A thyroid gland that is not fully developed is the most common defect. It occurs in about 1 out of every 3,000 births. Girls are affected twice as often as boys.

Reviewed last on: 6/28/2011
Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

LeFranchi S. Hypothyroidism. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme III JW, Schor NF, Behrman RE, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011;chap 559.

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