Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, making the thyroid underactive. Neonatal hypothyroidism is a decrease in thyroid hormone production in a newborn baby. In rare cases, no thyroid hormone is produced, which is referred to as congenital hypothyroidism, which is present from birth.

Why Does Your Baby Need Thyroid Hormone?

Thyroid hormone controls how energy is used in all the cells in a baby’s body. Approximately one in every 3,000 – 4,000 babies can be affected by neonatal hypothyroidism. It can be a permanent affliction and it can require ongoing treatment for life. If left untreated, it can lead to brain impairment, lack of development and intellectual disabilities.

There could be multiple reasons for lack of thyroid development. These include:

• A missing or under-developed thyroid gland
• A pituitary gland that does not stimulate the thyroid gland
• Thyroid hormones that don’t work
• Medicines the mother took during pregnancy
• Lack of iodine in the mother’s diet during pregnancy
• Antibodies made by the mother’s body that block the baby’s thyroid function

Symptoms Of Neonatal Hypothyroidism

Neonatal hypothyroidism can have several symptoms that can show up soon after birth. These include:

• Baby has a dull expression and puffy face
• His or her tongue thickens and sticks out

These symptoms can worsen as the disease advances.

Your baby might also show some of the following symptoms:

• Doesn’t feed well
• Experiences choking easily
• Gets constipated frequently
• Seems sleepy and sluggish
• Shows a lack of muscle tone and seems floppy
• Has a hoarse or weak cry
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

Aside from counteracting these symptoms in the early stages of life, the following benefits of neonatal hypothyroid screening can be seen.

The Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism Can Be Reversed

With adequate and early treatment, the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be reversed.

Treatment Can Prevent Developmental Damage

Lack of treatment can lead to intellectual disabilities. Treatment from as early as possible will prevent permanent intellectual developmental damage to the child that could otherwise be irreversible.

Baby Can Experience Normal Growth

Growth problems can also be experienced due to the lack of development. The thyroid hormone is responsible for metabolism. Without it, the cells won’t function the way they are supposed to.

Life Can Continue As Normal

With proper screening during pregnancy, neonatal hypothyroidism will be picked up early enough for proper treatment to take place. With the required treatment, baby’s life can continue as normal

If you are pregnant, and are concerned, speak to your doctor about risk factors and screening options.

Resources: https://www.healthline.com/; https://medlineplus.gov/; https://www.healthychildren.org/

Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash.