Hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy: the effect on neurodevelopment in the child

Abstract

54.4% of the women had a free T4 below the threshold of hypothyroxinemia. We find a significant effect of maternal hypothyroxinemia on the general cognitive index, and on perceptual-manipulative and memory coefficients.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and behavioural and psychiatric disorders of children: a systematic review

“…Although no single factor during intrauterine development leads to psychiatric disorders in children, maternal thyroid hormone plays a major role in foetal brain development and is therefore implicated in the development of a range of offspring behavioural and psychiatric problems (16). This is supported by several research findings suggesting associations between early pregnancy thyroid disorders and cognitive development of offspring (6,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24). There are however fewer studies investigating the potential relationship between maternal thyroid disorders during pregnancy and behavioural and psychiatric disorders in offspring at different ages, and no systematic reviews on the subject.…”

Maternal Hypothyroxinemia-Induced Neurodevelopmental Impairments in the Progeny

“…Maternal mild and severe hypothyroxinemia were defined as concentrations of FT 4 below 11.76 and 10.96 pmol/L, respectively; 8.5 % showed mild hypothyroxinemia while 4.3 % had severe hypothyroxinemia in early pregnancy [19]. In another, smaller study (n=147), mild iodine deficiency was investigated, where FT 4 was regarded as normal when between 9.5 and 23.9 pmol/L; up to 54.41 % of the studied women had a FT 4 level below the threshold for hypothyroxinemia [20]. In a study carried out in a mildly iodine deficient area, 25.4 % women were observed with hypothyroxinemia over the course of gestation [21].…”

“…Another recent study, this time Spanish by Suárez-Rodríguez et al, assessed the impact of maternal hypothyroxinemia on neurodevelopment in children of 38-60 months of age [20]. Levels of FT 4 and TSH were determined in 140 pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation.…”

“…Some researchers recommend routine assessment of maternal thyroid function during the early weeks of pregnancy [20]. In 2014, in regards to the need for universal thyroid screening of pregnant women, experts hold that screening of thyroid dysfunction should be based on a determination of TSH levels and only when abnormal TSH levels are detected should further T 4 measurements be made [107].…”

Avaliação da suficiência de iodo e sua relação com a função tireoidiana materna em gestantes provenientes da cidade de São Paulo, SP

“…A hipotiroxinemia grave, observada no hipotireoidismo franco, acarreta em retardo no desenvolvimento psicomotor. Já a hipotiroxinemia leve, principalmente nas primeiras semanas pode estar associada a déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, clinicamente evidentes somente na idade escolar 7,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] . No entanto, um estudo realizado por Craig et al 54 não encontrou correlação entre hipotiroxinemia materna e alteração no desenvolvimento neurológico das crianças avaliadas aos dois anos de idade.…”