About Childhood Hypothyroidism
Even though thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are much
more common in older adults, they are not unheard of among infants, children, and adolescents. Studies in US reveal that 1 in every 4000 infants born has a congenital thyroid disorder.Other acquired thyroid diseases can develop later in childhood or adolescence. Those who are aged between 15 and 19 are significantly impacted by the still-unexplained epidemic of thyroid cancer. Although infants, children, adolescents, and young adults account for less than 1% of all cases of thyroid disorders and diseases, they bear a disproportionate risk for developing certain types of disorders.
Hypothyroidism in infants and children are congenital or acquired. To be precise, present from birth and inherited genetically. Most of the occurrences of the disorder in children are genetic in origin. They are not properly diagnosed until later in childhood. If they are not treated properly, it may lead to mental retardation, severe developmental delays, and even death.
In United States, it is mandatory to perform test for the congenital hypothyroidism. Majority of the newborns in US are undergoing a routine test that screens basic thyroid function and detects the most serious forms of congenital hypothyroidism.
If the deficiency of thyroid hormone is detected, the newborn begins treatment for thyroid disorder immediately. The course of treatment includes levothyroxine sodium which must be continued and monitored for life. If the medication is taken properly, then thyroid hormone levels will remain stable.
These regulatory changes have initiated great stride in the early detection and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism in infants and children. But this diagnostic test is applicable only to a few specific types of thyroid disorders. In some cases, an underactive thyroid gland is not detected until later in childhood. This is more likely to occur in milder cases that do not cause readily detectable symptoms.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism in infants include: Feeding, digestion, and appetite problems, Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), Change in skin texture, "Puffy" appearance, Respiratory disorders, Larger than normal "soft spots" on skull, enlarged tongue, general inflammation in the front part of the neck, slowed heartbeat, infrequent stools, Lethargy, slow or no weight gain, etc.
If you have noticed any of these signs and symptoms in your infant, it's important to discuss your concerns with a licensed health care professional.
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