Congenital hypothyroidism affects children growth
Congenital hypothyroidism occurs in one of every 3,500 to 5,000 births; it is twice as common in females as in males. It occurs sporadically and is not usually an inherited disorder.
Congenital hypothyroidism is a health disorder in babies from birth due to lack of thyroid hormone. This hormone is necessary for normal growth and brain development in infants and children. If thyroid hormone deficiency in the baby is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can lead to mental retardation and cretinism (a condition of severely stunted physical and mental growth due to untreated congenital hypothyroidism). However, most parents are less aware of this danger. This is because newborns with congenital hypothyroidism often appear normal until the age of 3 months or with subtle clinical symptoms such as eating difficulty, lethargy, prolonged postnatal jaundice, constipation, enlarged protruding tongue, hoarse cry, protruding abdomen with an umbilical hernia and so on.
Neonatal TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) examination is needed to diagnose congenital hypothyroidism early. It is recommended in newborns aged 3-5 days. Confirmatory test is done 2 weeks after the initial screening. Monitoring should be performed regularly in infants who have congenital hypothyroidism treatment. Immediate diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism in the neonatal period is critical to normal brain development and physical growth. Treatment is usually effective if started within the first few weeks of life. Delayed treatment may result in decreased intellectual capacity of the children.
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