Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

895

Impact of Preconception Treatment Initiation for Hypothyroidism on Neurocognitive Function in Children

Qiongjie Zhou1,2, Chunfang Wang1,2, Huan Xu1,2

  • 1Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|August 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Starting levothyroxine before conception did not significantly improve children's cognitive development compared to starting treatment after 8-14 weeks of gestation. This study on maternal hypothyroidism treatment impacts fetal neurodevelopment.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Maternal hypothyroidism in early pregnancy is linked to inconsistent outcomes.
  • Levothyroxine treatment timing for hypothyroidism during pregnancy is critical for fetal neurodevelopment.
  • Assessing the impact of preconception versus early-gestation treatment is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of preconception maternal hypothyroidism treatment on fetal neurodevelopment.
  • To compare children's cognitive function based on the timing of levothyroxine initiation.
  • To determine if early levothyroxine treatment improves neurocognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, single-center cohort study involving 466 participants.
  • Women were divided into preconception (BC) and after conception (AC) treatment groups.
  • Neurocognitive development was assessed using the Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale at 6, 12, and 24 months.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in neurocognitive assessment scores between BC and AC groups at 6, 12, or 24 months.
  • Slightly lower motor and total scores at 12 months and adaptability at 24 months were observed in the BC group.
  • Subgroup analysis for subclinical hypothyroidism showed persistent differences in motor ability and total scores.

Conclusions:

  • Preconception levothyroxine treatment did not yield significantly better cognitive outcomes up to age 2.
  • Initiating levothyroxine treatment at 8-14 weeks of gestation appears comparable to preconception treatment for neurodevelopment.
  • Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different based on treatment timing, severity, or TPO status.
Abstract

Keywords:
Gesell Development Diagnosis Scalehypothyroidismneurocognitive functionpreconception

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes03:19

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

654
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

87.2K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
605
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
739
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.7K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
108
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.8K
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
373