When is congenital hypothyroidism?

Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland fails to develop or function properly. In 80 to 85 percent of cases, the thyroid gland is absent, severely reduced in size (hypoplastic), or abnormally located. These cases are classified as thyroid dysgenesis.

What is it called when you were born without a thyroid?

Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland. Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when a newborn infant is born without the ability to make normal amounts of thyroid hormone. The condition occurs in about 1 in 3,000-4,000 children, is most often permanent and treatment is lifelong.

What does congenital hypothyroidism mean in medical terms?

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 are the treatment options for congenital hypothyroidism?

Treatment options. Doctors called pediatric endocrinologists treat congenital hypothyroidism. The main treatment is to give the baby thyroid hormone (levothyroxine). This condition must be treated within the after birth or the intellectual disability may be permanent.

What happens to a baby with hypothyroidism?

It causes impaired neurological function, stunted growth, and physical deformities. The condition may occur because of a problem with the baby’s thyroid gland, or a lack of iodine in the mother’s body during pregnancy. A baby’s body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones.

What are the reasons for hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of diseases and conditions. Most commonly, it is the result of inflammation of the thyroid gland. It can also be caused by viral thyroiditis or a disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease.

Is it rare to have congenital hypothyroidism?

babies are born with congenital hypothyroidism . The introduction of iodized salt in the early 20 th century made congenital hypothyroidism very rare in the United States and the rest of the Western world. However, severe iodine deficiency is still common in developing nations.

What is the medical term meaning congenital hypothyroidism?

Congenital hypothyroidism, previously known as cretinism, is a severe deficiency of thyroid hormone in newborns. It causes impaired neurological function, stunted growth, and physical deformities.

Can hypothyroidism be cured permanently?

A: There is no permanent cure of hypothyroidism. In this disease thyroid gland is making enough thyroxine, therefore we are supplementing from outside. Most common cause is antibodies against thyroid cells or enzyme called as TPO . These destroy the gland. There is no threat to life and this is a patient friendly disease.