Related Experiment Videos
Intellectual outcome at 12 years of age in congenital hypothyroidism
M Salerno1, R Militerni, S Di Maio
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
Insights
Intellectual outcome in children with congenital hypothyroidism is generally good, but some may experience subnormal IQ. Factors like severe hypothyroidism, poor treatment adherence, and parental attitudes can impact cognitive development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected via neonatal screening typically has good intellectual outcomes.
- However, subtle neurological deficits and subnormal IQ have been reported in some children with CH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess intellectual outcomes in 12-year-old patients with CH identified through neonatal screening.
- To identify factors influencing intellectual development in these children.
Main Methods:
- Intelligence quotient (IQ) was evaluated in 40 children with CH at age 12 using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised.
- IQ scores were compared to those of 40 healthy siblings serving as a control group.
Main Results:
- The mean IQ of patients with CH did not significantly differ from the control group.
- Thirteen patients exhibited subnormal IQ scores, significantly lower than their siblings and other CH patients.
- Low IQ was correlated with lower thyroxine levels at diagnosis, poor treatment compliance, and lower familial IQ.
Conclusions:
- While average IQ in CH patients is within the normal range, some individuals may have low IQ.
- Severe hypothyroidism, inadequate treatment compliance, and suboptimal parental attitudes are associated with lower IQ in CH patients.
Background:
The intellectual outcome in children with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening is generally good; however, subtle neurological dysfunctions, subnormal IQ, or both, have been reported.
Objective:
To evaluate the intellectual outcome in 12-year-old patients with congenital hypothyroidism, detected by neonatal screening, in an attempt to identify factors that may affect intellectual development.
Methods:
The intelligence quotient (IQ) of 40 children with congenital hypothyroidism was evaluated at 12 years of age, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children -- Revised, and compared with the IQ of 40 healthy siblings (control group).
Results:
The mean IQ score (88.4+/-13.1) was not significantly different from that of the control group (93.4+/-10.7). Thirteen patients showed subnormal IQ score (72.4+/-4.9) compared with their siblings (86.7+/-9.6; P<0.0001) and with the other patients (96.1+/-9.6; P<0.0001). The low IQ score was associated with lower serum concentrations of thyroxine at diagnosis, poor treatment compliance during follow-up and lower familial IQ. Interviews with parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism revealed that a refusal to acknowledge the disease was linked to poor attention to the child's emotional life and to poor treatment compliance in some cases (11%).
Conclusion:
Even though the mean IQ score in patients with congenital hypothyroidism falls within normal for the control population, low IQ scores may be present in patients with severe hypothyroidism, inadequate compliance to replacement therapy during follow-up and poor parental pedagogic attitude.