Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Deficiency in Children

Hypothyroidism, also known as thyroid deficiency, is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not release an adequate amount of hormones. This condition, sometimes caused by a lack of iodine, can slow down various processes in the body, leading to fatigue and several other symptoms. Hypothyroidism should be identified as early in life as possible to treat the problem and ensure proper development with the correct amount of thyroid hormones.

Infant-specific

• There are many signs and symptoms of thyroid deficiency to diagnose the condition in infants. According to the Merck Professional Manual, infants may experience frequent choking, a face that appears puffy, a protruding, large tongue, and yellowing of the skin and eye whites. This yellowing can occur because the liver does not process bilirubin, a molecule that recycles old or damaged red blood cells. Infants may have developmental issues, both physical and mental, including endemic cretinism, a syndrome that involves deaf-mutism. As hypothyroidism develops further, the child may have poor muscle tone, loss of appetite, hoarse crying and respiratory distress.

Child Development

• While children have many similar symptoms as adults with regard to hypothyroidism, there are some that are specific to children. Younger children may experience spasticity, constipation and extreme sleepiness. As children and teenagers develop, they may experience delayed puberty, slowed development of permanent teeth, poor mental development, retarded growth and short stature, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of hypothyroidism may not appear until after infancy and during childhood because of the small amount of thyroid hormones that passed through the placenta from the mother in the womb.

Adult Symptoms

• Children and teenagers will experience many of the same problems of an underactive thyroid as adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, these symptoms include joint and muscle pain, cold intolerance, decreased sweating, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, depression, constipation, weight gain, fatigue, depression and a slowed heart rate. The condition can also lead to brittle hair and fingernails, sluggishness and an elevated level of blood cholesterol.