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Intellectual development in preschool children with early treated congenital hypothyroidism

Min Kyoung Seo1, Jong Seo Yoon1, Chul Hwan So2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism
|July 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Early treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in children leads to normal intellectual outcomes. Neonatal screening and timely intervention ensure children with CH achieve average IQ scores, preventing mental retardation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a condition requiring prompt treatment to prevent cognitive impairment.
  • Delayed treatment of CH is a significant risk factor for mental retardation.
  • Neonatal screening programs are crucial for early detection and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the intellectual outcomes in preschool children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism.
  • To determine if early treatment of CH impacts cognitive development in young children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of clinical records for 43 children diagnosed with CH.
  • Intellectual assessment using the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children/Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence for children aged 5-7 years.
  • Analysis of factors including age at treatment, levothyroxine dosage, and thyroid function.

Main Results:

  • Mean IQ score of 103.14±11.68 in children treated for CH, with no cases of intellectual disability (IQ <70).
  • No significant difference in IQ scores between low-dose and high-dose levothyroxine treatment groups.
  • Multivariate analysis showed no correlation between IQ scores and initial L-T4 dose, initial fT4, or age at treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Early treatment of CH, identified via neonatal screening, results in normal intellectual outcomes.
  • Cognitive development in treated CH patients is not significantly affected by the etiology, thyroid function, initial levothyroxine dose, or age at treatment initiation.
Abstract

Keywords:
CongenitalHypothyroidismIntellectual disabilitySynthyroid

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