Hypothyroid in Babies

Many infants with hypothyroidism show few or no symptoms. The Texas Department of State Health Services estimates that one in every 4,000 babies is born with hypothyroidism. Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when a baby's thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone to support his needs.

Causes

• Although there is no definite pattern of inheritance, babies who have hypothyroidism tend to have family members who also have the condition.

  The most common cause of hypothyroidism in babies is the improper development of the thyroid during early pregnancy. During this time, a baby's thyroid develops at the base of the brain and should move toward the lower neck. Problems develop when the thyroid doesn't shift into the correct position, which can cause only a portion of the thyroid to remain; in other cases, there may not be a thyroid gland present.

Symptoms

• According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, symptoms that your baby may have hypothyroidism include skin that is pale or blotchy, especially when she is undressed, or she may have jaundice, which creates a yellow tinge in the skin. Your baby may be uninterested in eating and have problems staying awake during feeds. Constipation and gas may also cause problems for babies with hypothyroidism. Babies who have hypothyroid problems that go undetected are more likely to have poor development, growth and weight gain. Hypothyroid problems will also cause your baby to have low blood pressure, a slow heart rate and poor circulation, often evident from cold hands and feet. Your baby may seem quiet, uninterested in the environment around her. She may sleep for long periods of time, need to be woken up to feed and may be limp or floppy when picked up.

Testing

• Your newborn baby will be tested for thyroid problems a few days after birth. A technician will take a blood sample from his heel and send it to a laboratory to check for the levels of thyroid hormone (T4) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)in the baby's blood.

Treatment

• A pediatric endocrinologist will treat your baby if she has hypothyroidism. Babies receive daily hormone replacement doses of sodium levothyroxine or L-thyroxine, synthetic thyroid hormone.

Considerations

• Babies who suffer from hypothyroidism will need to take daily thyroid hormone replacement tablets for the rest of their lives. This replacement hormone is especially important for proper brain development during the first two years of growth and development and necessary for all normal functions of the body.

Misconceptions

• According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, all of the causes of hypothyroidism problems in babies are permanent and are not conditions your baby will grow out of. If your baby receives immediate treatment and continues lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy, she will lead a normal life.