Neonatal Effects of Maternal Hypothyroidism
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Pregnancy Risk
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Severe maternal hypothyroidism can cause preeclampsia (toxemia), placental abnormalities and abruptio placentae, all of which pose significant risks for the fetus. According to Olds' Maternal-Newborn Nursing, there is a 50 percent increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage.
Lower IQ
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One-third of the infants of untreated mothers showed significantly lower IQ scores. This is nearly twice the rate of babies born to mothers with normal thyroid levels.
Motor and Gait
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Maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of delayed psychomotor development in infants.
Combined Maternal and Fetal Hypothyroidism
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The effects of combined maternal and fetal hypothyroidism are more severe than maternal hypothyroidism alone. Such cases can lead to severe cretinism, a congenital condition of stunted physical development and extremely low IQ (around 29) caused by severe thyroid deficiency.
Treatment
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Treatment during pregnancy consists of replacement of thyroid hormone with synthetic levothyroxine. If possible, a woman should be treated for hypothyroidism before becoming pregnant. Adequate treatment during pregnancy can prevent the negative effects of maternal hypothyroidism.
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