Signs of hypothyroidism in babies

1 What is the thyroid gland for

? As soon as the baby is born, it takes blood to study the presence of hormones produced by the thyroid gland in it. From these indicators, the future development and health of the baby largely depends. The thyroid gland produces a special thyroid-stimulating hormone, which affects the following processes in the body:

• controls metabolism;
• lowers cholesterol;
• regulates the production of vitamin A;
• controls the mechanisms of calcium cleavage;
• improves the synthesis of enzymes;
• regulates the child's growth process;
• controls the exchange of potassium and sodium;
• regulates the development of the brain.

Thyroid gland is called the main conductor in the management of almost the entire body: it affects the work of the heart and the central nervous system, psycho-emotional development and sexual activity, so the lack of its hormones leads to various malfunctions in the body, and long-term violations - to irreversible consequences.

2 Causes of the disease

Hypothyroidism in a child can be both congenital and acquired. In terms of severity, there may be subclinical hypothyroidism, manifest and complicated. In recent years, the congenital form of hypothyroidism is common in young children quite often, it is associated with various disorders during the intrauterine development of the baby:

• radiation;
• deficiency of iodine;
• diseases of a viral nature;
• injuries;
• parasitic infestations;
• treatment of the mother with prohibited drugs;
• thyroid neoplasms of various types;
• disorders in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland;
• autoimmune diseases.

The causes of acquired hypothyroidism are: benign and malignant thyroid formations, lack of iodine in food, radioactive irradiation, various injuries received by the child.

3 Symptoms of the presence of a pathology

Symptoms of hypothyroidism in a child at different ages may vary slightly. In newborn babies, the symptoms of the disease are:

• with late delivery - the presence of dry skin in a baby, the absence of generic lubrication, elongated nails;
• large weight of the child;
• swelling of the lips, eyelids and face;
• a rough and hoarse voice;
• swelling on the body;
• immaturity of the genitals;
• long not passing jaundice;
• presence of an umbilical hernia and poor healing of the umbilical wound.

If the baby is breastfed, the symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism in children under the age of one year may not be clearly expressed by compensating for the lack of thyroid hormones from the mother's milk. Hypothyroidism in a child may manifest later with the following symptoms:

• general lethargy and drowsiness;
• reduction of muscle tone;
• lag in height and weight;
• later closure of the fontanelle;
• inability to hold his head, roll over and sit;
• later teething.

In adolescence, hypothyroidism manifests itself following symptoms:

• significant weight gain;
• decrease in the growth rate of the skeleton;
• later puberty;
• slowing down thinking and attention;
• hoarse voice;
• is a rare pulse;
• sharp mood swings;
• dry skin;
• hair loss.

If the signs of the disease are not significant, then this condition is called subclinical hypothyroidism, the main factor of which is the destruction of thyroid cells. Sometimes subclinical hypothyroidism in a child may not be manifested for several years, and the disease is detected only after the corresponding analyzes. The main signs of the subclinical stage of hypothyroidism in children under one year are:

• breast failure;
• reduced body temperature;
• dry skin;
• swelling of the face and eyelids.

In older children, subclinical hypothyroidism manifests itself:

• decreased vision;
• memory impairment;
• decrease in concentration of attention;
• by the state of chronic depression;
• lack of mood.

The main direction in the treatment of hypothyroidism is the intake of the missing hormone, produced by the thyroid gland and necessary for the full development of the baby. Depending on the causes of the onset of the disease and the health of the child, hormones can be prescribed for several months, years or at all for life. Parents need to know that the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is not a verdict. With timely treatment, the lack of an absent hormone is quickly compensated, and the baby's health will not be threatened.