Hypothyroidism in infants and children, while relatively rare -- approximately 1 in 4,000 infants have the condition-- poses a serious threat to a child's physical and mental development if left untreated.
Hypothyroidism can affect both newborns and older children, and occurs for a variety of reasons, but the treatment is always the same.
There are different types of hypothyroidism in infants/children, methods for detection and treatment, and why it is crucial that your newborn be tested within the first few days of birth. In some extremely rare instances, hospital tests can be faulty. Some symptoms to watch for if you suspect a faulty test:
- Puffy face, swollen tongue
- Hoarse cry
- Cold extremities, mottled skin
- Low muscle tone (floppy, no strength)
- Poor feeding
- Thick coarse hair that goes low on the forehead
- Large fontanel (soft spot)
- Prolonged jaundice
- Herniated bellybutton
- Lethargic (lack of energy, sleeps most of the time, appears tired even when awake)
- Persistent constipation, bloated or full to the touch
- Little to no growth
