What does congenital hypothyroidism mean?

What does congenital hypothyroidism mean?

Congenital hypothyroidism is a partial or complete loss of function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) that affects infants from birth (congenital). The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped tissue in the lower neck.

What is congenital hyperthyroidism?

Congenital hyperthyroidism was first recognized in infants born to mothers with Graves’ disease. The description of transplacental passage of the maternal thyroid stimulating antibodies elucidated the molecular mechanism in this major group of patients with “autoimmune congenital hyperthyroidism”.

What is congenital myxedema?

myxedema. Myxedema is a term used to describe a severely underactive thyroid gland in an adult. Congenital hypothyroidism refers to a thyroid deficiency in an infant. Myxedema can also be used to describe skin changes caused by low thyroid hormone levels.

What are the signs of congenital hypothyroidism?

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Congenital Hypothyroidism?

• jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• sleeping longer or more often than usual.
• constipation.
• a large soft spot (fontanel) on the head.
• large, swollen tongue.
• weak (“floppy”) muscle tone.
• swelling around the eyes.
• poor or slow growth.

Is congenital hypothyroidism a disease?

Congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) is a condition resulting from an absent or under-developed thyroid gland (dysgenesis) or one that has developed but cannot make thyroid hormone because of a ‘production line’ problem (dyshormonogenesis). Babies with CHT cannot produce enough thyroid hormone for the body’s needs.

Is congenital hypothyroidism primary or secondary?

Permanent congenital hypothyroidism may be due to primary or secondary (central) causes. Primary causes include defects of thyroid gland development, deficiencies in thyroid hormone production, and hypothyroidism resulting from defects of TSH binding or signal transduction.

What is the most common known cause of hyperthyroidism?

Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies produced by your immune system stimulate your thyroid to produce too much T4. It’s the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Where is congenital hypothyroidism most common?

How common is congenital hypothyroidism? One child in every 2000-3000 is born with CHT in the UK. Dysgenesis is more common in girls than in boys but in dyshormonogenesis boys and girls are equally affected.

When is congenital hypothyroidism month?

As part of Thyroid Awareness Month this January, MDLinx is providing information on the prevalence and impact of thyroid disease based on data from the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck.

What is congenital hypothyroidism and how is it diagnosed?

When thyroid hormone deficiency is detected at birth it is called “congenital hypothyroidism”. Babies with congenital hypothyroidism are born with an underactive or absent thyroid gland.

What is the difference between congenital hypothyroidism and myxedema?

Congenital hypothyroidism vs. myxedema. Myxedema is a term used to describe a severely underactive thyroid gland in an adult. Congenital hypothyroidism refers to a thyroid deficiency in an infant. Myxedema can also be used to describe skin changes caused by low thyroid hormone levels.

What happens if congenital hypothyroidism is left untreated?

If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism can lead to growth failure and permanent intellectual disability. Infants born with congenital hypothyroidism may show no effects, or may display mild effects that often go unrecognized as a problem.

What are the possible causes of neonatal hypothyroidism?

Neonatal hypothyroidism has been reported in cases of infants exposed to lithium, a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder, in utero. In some instances, hypothyroidism detected by screening may be transient. One common cause of this is the presence of maternal antibodies that temporarily impair thyroid function for several weeks.