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Neonatal hypothyroidism - Treatment

Alternative Names

Cretinism; Congenital hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - infants

Treatment:

Early diagnosis is very important. Most of the effects of hypothyroidism are easily reversible.

Replacement therapy with thyroxine is the standard treatment of hypothyroidism. Once medication starts, thyroid blood tests are regularly done to make sure levels are within a normal range.

Expectations (prognosis):

Very early diagnosis generally results in a good outcome. Newborns diagnosed and treated in the first month or so generally develop normal intelligence.

Untreated, mild hypothyroidism can lead to severe mental retardation and growth retardation. Critical development of the nervous system takes place in the first few months after birth. Thyroid hormone deficiency may cause irreversible damage.

Complications:

Mental retardation
Growth retardation
Heart problems

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

You feel your infant shows signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism
You are pregnant and have been exposed to antithyroid drugs or procedures

Reviewed last on: 8/15/2007
Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (7/17/2007)

References

Harris KB, Pass KA. Increase in congenital hypothyroidism in New York State and in the United States. Mol Genet Metab. 2007; 91(3):268-277.

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