Thyroid Disorders in Children
Today, thanks to the recently enacted Newborn Screenings in most areas, the potential dangers associated with Clinical Hypothyroidism are often prepared for ahead of time, because families find out at birth if a child has this genetic condition.
Hypothyroidism, or a deficiency in the secretion of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), by the thyroid gland may be difficult to recognize, but usually is very easy to treat. During childhood and adolescence the hypothyroid patient presents either with an enlarged thyroid gland, also known as a goiter, or diminution in the rate of growth in height. At the time of birth the symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism are minimal or absent, and the lack of adequate thyroid hormone from birth until approximately age 2 years is associated with varying degrees of permanent mental retardation. For these reasons most countries in the western world and every state in the United States routinely perform screening tests within the first week of life to detect congenital hypothyroidism so that prompt treatment can be initiated to prevent mental retardation.
[To review information on Congenital Hypothyroidism- click the link on the upper left.]
MAGIC is made up of parents of affected children. If you would like to talk with someone-
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