Photo Caption – From R- L – Dr. Usha Sriram , Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr. Uma Ram, Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. S. Suresh, Director Mediscan System , Dr.Sudha, Paediatrician Child specialist and Dr. Arun Dahiya, Medical Advisor,GlaxoSmithKline harmaceuticals
Congenital Hypothyroidism can be prevented with early detection and treatment
Chennai, CH is one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation. Worldwide, Congenital Hypothyroidism affects 1 in 3,800 new born babies on an average. Studies from Mumbai indicate that it might be commoner in India, with the disease occurring in 1 in 2,640 neonates.
Thyroid hormones are very important for brain development and overall growth. In Congenital Hypothyroidism, the child suffers from mental retardation, and below-normal physical growth. If left untreated, the damage becomes irreversible. When diagnosed early and treated adequately, children born with Congenital Hypothyroidism can experience normal physical growth and neurological development.
Most new born babies with Congenital Hypothyroidism appear normal at birth, even if there is complete lack of development of the thyroid gland. This is because a small amount of thyroid hormone (T4) from the mother is transferred to the baby during pregnancy. Once a baby is diagnosed with Congenital Hypothyroidism, the baby is started on thyroid hormone replacement. Most of the children with Congenital Hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormones for the rest of their lives. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment from the first weeks of life result in normal growth and intelligence.
Most cases cannot be prevented. However, there can be some modifiable causative factors like the mother taking antithyroid medications, or too much or too less of iodine. Regarding such cases, the doctor might be able to give appropriate advice.
As congenital Hypothyroidism most commonly is not a heritable disorder, it is not possible to identify a population of pregnant women who are at high risk for fetal hypothyroidism.
Specific pregnancies may be determined to be at risk based on a family history of a previous infant with Congenital Hypothyroidism. Most cases, however, are not familial and are discovered when routine ultrasonography discloses a fetal goitre. In addition, if a pregnant woman with Graves’ disease is treated with anti-thyroid drugs, the foetus is at risk for hypothyroidism. If the mother has been exposed to radioactive iodine, then the baby has increased risk of Congenital Hypothyroidism.
Once a baby is diagnosed with Congenital Hypothyroidism, the baby is started on thyroid hormone replacement. Levothyroxine given orally is the treatment of choice. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone that is similar to the hormone made by a thyroid gland. Treatment should usually be initiated within the first few weeks of life.
