Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Cognitive Function, and Quality of Life in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism in a...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening reduces severe intellectual disability but doesn't eliminate neurodevelopmental deficits or impact on quality of life (QoL).
• Children with CH remain at risk for cognitive impairments and reduced QoL, necessitating further investigation into their neurodevelopmental profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cognitive profiles in children with CH.
• To determine the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in this population.
• To assess the QoL of children diagnosed with CH.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study was conducted with 46 children diagnosed with CH.
• Cognitive assessments utilized standardized intelligence scales over four time points.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, learning disorders, intellectual disability) were diagnosed per DSM-V criteria; QoL was measured using the PedsQL™.

Main Results:

• Overall IQ scores were within the normative range, but later treatment correlated with lower Performance IQ and Perceptual Organization Index.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was diagnosed in 26% of children, associated with lower Verbal IQ, Perceptual Organization Index, and school-related QoL.
• While overall QoL was comparable to the general pediatric population, treatment delays were linked to lower total QoL, particularly in emotional and social domains.

Conclusions:

• Early and timely thyroid hormone therapy is critical for mitigating neurocognitive deficits in children with CH.
• Non-verbal deficits can persist even with treatment, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and intervention.
• Optimizing treatment timing and management is essential for improving long-term QoL in children with CH.