Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Early adiposity rebound and obesity in children with congenital hypothyroidism
Shou-Yen Chen1, Shio-Jean Lin, Sheng-Hsiang Lin
1Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Insights
Children with congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) experience earlier adiposity rebound (AR), increasing their obesity risk. Early weight control interventions are recommended for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Earlier adiposity rebound (AR) is a known risk factor for obesity.
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) is a condition affecting thyroid hormone levels from birth.
- Understanding obesity risk factors in CHT is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate obesity rates and AR timing in children with CHT.
- To identify risk factors associated with obesity in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of CHT patients with abnormal newborn screening for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
- Categorization into overweight/obese and normal BMI groups based on 6-7 year olds' BMI.
- Comparison of AR age and BMI with the general Taiwanese population.
Main Results:
- 32.2% of 90 CHT cases were overweight or obese.
- AR occurred earlier in girls with CHT compared to general population girls.
- Obesity correlated with earlier AR, higher BMI at first peak and AR, and lower T4 levels post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Children with CHT exhibit an elevated risk of obesity, linked to an earlier AR.
- Proactive weight management strategies and monitoring are advised for children with CHT.
Background:
Earlier adiposity rebound (AR) is correlated with obesity. Our goal is to examine rates of obesity and AR in congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) and analyze the risk factors of obesity.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the cases with abnormal newborn screens of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from 1990 to 2005 and enrolled permanent CHT patients who continued to receive treatment after the 3(rd) year of life. We determined subgroups of obesity/being overweight and normal body mass index (BMI) by the latest BMI at 6-7 years of age. BMI at each age and the age of AR were compared with the general population in Taiwan. The statistical correlation of obesity with the age and BMI at both AR and first peak, and thyroid function was calculated.
Results:
A total of 90 cases of CHT were enrolled. The prevalence of obesity/being overweight was 32.2%. The age of AR was 4.94 ± 1.81 and 4.58 ± 1.86 years old in boys and girls, respectively. The age of AR in the girls with CHT was earlier than in girls in general, but no statistical significance was found in boys with CHT compared to the general population. Obesity was correlated with earlier age of AR, higher BMI at first peak and AR, and lower T4 after treatment, but not with the age of first peak of BMI, T4/TSH at diagnosis and AR, and TSH after treatment.
Conclusion:
Children with CHT have a higher risk of obesity due to earlier age of AR. We recommend that supervision and intervention on weight control should be provided to prevent the occurrence of obesity later.
More Related Videos
05:44Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Published on: May 17, 2024
13:09Segmentation and Measurement of Fat Volumes in Murine Obesity Models Using X-ray Computed Tomography
Published on: April 4, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Obesity
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology