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[Congenital hypothyroidism]
1Departamento de Ediciones Médicas, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, México D.F., México.
Insights
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening and prompt treatment are crucial for preventing intellectual disability. Early diagnosis via heel prick tests and thyroid hormone measurement ensures proper neurodevelopment in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Neonatology
Abstract:
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a cause of preventable mental retardation; therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment by the primary care physician is very important. CH screening must be performed between the second and fifth days of life with capillary blood done with a heel prick and must be confirmed by measurement of thyroid hormones in venous blood. The most common cause of CH is thyroid dysgenesis, which may be identified by a thyroid scan carried out before initiating treatment. Treatment should be with levothyroxine (10-15μg/kg/day) and should not be delayed or suspended during the first 3 years of life due to the deleterious effect on neurodevelopment in case of low thyroid hormones during this time. Preterm or sick infants or those with Down syndrome require special consideration. This article provides diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for CH.
