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Cognitive outcomes for congenital hypothyroid and healthy children: a comparative study
Mahtab Ordooei1, Hadi Mottaghipisheh1, Razieh Fallah2
1Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Insights
Early diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in children leads to normal cognitive abilities. However, even with early treatment, children with CH may show slightly lower IQ scores compared to healthy peers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening programs aim to prevent developmental delays.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for optimal outcomes in children with CH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the cognitive abilities of children diagnosed with CH through neonatal screening against a healthy control group.
- To assess the long-term cognitive impact of early-treated CH.
Main Methods:
- A case-controlled study involving 40 five-year-old children with early-treated CH and good compliance.
- Cognitive abilities were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence test.
- Comparison was made with 40 age- and gender-matched healthy children.
Main Results:
- All children with CH demonstrated average to normal intelligence levels (IQ 91-108).
- Children with CH exhibited statistically significant lower full-scale, verbal, and performance IQ scores compared to the control group.
- No significant IQ differences were found between transient and permanent CH subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Early treatment and good compliance in children with CH result in normal cognitive abilities.
- Despite normal cognitive function, children with CH may have a measurable decrease in IQ compared to healthy individuals.
Objective:
Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the prevention of developmental retardation is the main goal of public health national screening programs. This study compares the cognitive ability of children with CH diagnosed by neonatal screening with a healthy control group (2007) in Yazd, Iran.
Materials & Methods:
In a case-controlled study, the intelligent quotient (IQ) of 40 five-year-old children with early treated CH and good compliance were evaluated by the Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligent test and compared to 40 healthy age and gender matched children as controls.
Results:
22 boys (55%) and 18 girls (45%) in both groups were evaluated. In children with CH, 19 (47.5%) and 21 (52.5%) persons had transient and permanent hypothyroidism, respectively. Range of TSH and T4 level at the onset of diagnosis were 11.41-81 mu/l and 1.50-14.20 μg/dl, respectively. The intelligence levels of all children with CH were within the average or normal range and IQs ranged from 91-108. Children with CH had lower full-scale IQs (107.25 ± 2. 9 versus 110.50 ± 2.66, p=0.001), verbal IQ (106.95 ± 3.5 versus 109.90 ± 3.44, P-value=0.001) and performance IQ (106.3 ± 3.68 versus 108.87 ± 3.70) than the control group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed for mean IQ scores in permanent and transient CH.
Conclusion:
Children with CH who had early treatment and good compliance had normal cognitive abilities, but may have a decreased IQ relative to the healthy control group.
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