Transient central hypothyroidism as a cause of failure to thrive in newborns and infants

R Jain1, R M Isaac, M E Gottschalk

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL.

Insights

Early diagnosis of central hypothyroidism in infants is crucial for development. Two cases of transient central hypothyroidism, previously unreported, showed improvement with L-T4 therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Central hypothyroidism in infants presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Failure to thrive is a key clinical sign in affected neonates and infants.

Observation:

  • Describes the clinical course of two neonates and one 4-month-old infant with central hypothyroidism.
  • All infants exhibited failure to thrive, a common symptom requiring investigation.

Findings:

  • Laboratory and clinical evidence confirmed central hypothyroidism in all three infants.
  • Treatment with Levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy led to significant improvement in all cases.
  • Two infants were diagnosed with transient central hypothyroidism of hypothalamic origin, a novel finding.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of early recognition and intervention for central hypothyroidism in newborns and infants.
  • Emphasizes maximizing growth and developmental potential through timely L-T4 treatment.
  • Reports a previously undocumented form of transient central hypothyroidism, advancing understanding of thyroid disorders.

Related Concept Videos

Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology01:24

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) that activate TSH receptors, leading to excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulting in hyperthyroidism.Among all causes of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the most common and can happen at any age, though it is more frequent in women. It produces a hypermetabolic state with features such as weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...