Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Congenital Hypothyroidism: Long-Term Experience with Early and High Levothyroxine Dosage
Marie Uyttendaele1, Sophie Lambert, Sylvie Tenoutasse
1Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Hx00F4;pital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Universitx00E9; Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) management has improved with neonatal screening. Early levothyroxine treatment ensures normal growth and development in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns.
- Systemic neonatal screening has become standard for early CH detection.
- Understanding CH management and outcomes is crucial for pediatric endocrinology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the management and outcomes of CH patients since implementing neonatal screening.
- To analyze the impact of early diagnosis and treatment on CH patient growth and development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 139 CH patients' records (1978-2014).
- Analysis of biochemical and imaging data at diagnosis, treatment initiation, and growth parameters.
- Comparison of outcomes between different CH etiologies (thyroid dysgenesis vs. gland in situ).
Main Results:
- Thyroid dysgenesis was the most common cause of CH (111/139 patients).
- Levothyroxine treatment initiated at a median of 11 days (mean dose 11.4 µg/kg/day).
- Early treatment correlated with earlier TSH normalization and normal growth trajectories compared to reference populations.
Conclusions:
- Ectopic thyroid tissue is the most frequent cause of CH.
- Early levothyroxine therapy (mean dose 11.4 µg/kg/day) leads to normalized TSH levels (median 3.07 mU/l at 1 month) and normal growth in children with CH.
Aim:
To assess the management and outcome of the congenital hypothyroidism (CH) patients followed at our institution since the introduction of systemic neonatal screening for CH.
Study Design:
The records of 139 CH patients referred to our center between 1978 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Biochemical and imaging data at diagnosis, initial treatment and growth were analyzed.
Results:
111 patients had thyroid dysgenesis (64 ectopy, 46 athyreosis and 1 hypoplasia) and 28 patients had a gland in situ (17 dyshormonogenesis/goiter and 11 normal-sized gland). Levothyroxine treatment was initiated at a median age of 11 days with a mean dose of 11.4 µg/kg/day. Compared to those with ectopy, patients with athyreosis had higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and lower thyroxine at diagnosis as well as more delayed bone maturation. Between 1978 and 2014, we observed earlier treatment and earlier TSH normalization. Birth auxology was slightly above the mean of the reference population. Growth at 1 and 6 years and school progression at 11 years were similar to those of the reference population.
Conclusion:
Ectopy is the commonest cause of CH. Children with CH treated early with a mean levothyroxine dose of 11.4 µg/kg/day had a median TSH of 3.07 mU/l at 1 month of age and normal growth.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
The Thyroid Gland
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Teratogenicity

