Congenital hypothyroidism, also known as cretinism, is a severe deficit of thyroid hormone in infants that develops during the first few months of life. It results in reduced neurological function, slowed growth, and physical abnormalities in the affected individuals. The disease may develop as a result of a malfunction with the baby’s thyroid gland or as a result of a deficiency of iodine in the mother’s body when she is pregnant.

The body of a baby need iodine in order to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones are necessary for normal growth, brain and nervous system development, as well as for maintaining a healthy weight.

Myxedema as opposed to congenital hypothyroidism

An adult with significant underactivity of the thyroid gland is said to have myxedema, which is defined as swelling of the lymph nodes. Congenital hypothyroidism is a term used to describe a thyroid deficit that occurs in a newborn.

Symptoms

The following are symptoms of cretinism or congenital hypothyroidism in a newborn:

1. unable to acquire weight
2. growth that has been stunted
3. weariness and sluggishness
4. a lack of nutrition
5. facial features that have become thicker
6. bone development that is out of the ordinary
7. slowing of the mental process
8. constipation as a result of excessive sleep
9. The skin and whites of the eyes become yellow as a result of this condition (jaundice)
10. sluggishness, lack of muscular tone

Causes

The following conditions can result in congenital hypothyroidism in newborns:

1. a thyroid gland that is absent, poorly developed, or abnormally small; a genetic abnormality that affects thyroid hormone production; a lack of iodine in the mother’s diet while she is pregnant
2. Thyroid cancer treatment with radioactive iodine or antithyroid medication is not recommended during pregnancy.
3. Taking medications that interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis, such as antithyroid pharmaceuticals, sulfonamides, or lithium, while pregnant is not recommended.

Treatment Modalities

• Thyroid hormone levels are routinely checked in newborns in the United States and many other nations. A tiny blood sample is taken from the baby’s heel for the test. Thyroid hormone (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the baby’s blood are checked by a laboratory.

• Congenital hypothyroidism is treated by paediatric endocrinologists. The basic treatment is to administer thyroid hormone to the baby (levothyroxine). If this illness is not treated within the first four weeks of life, the intellectual handicap may become permanent.

• Thyroid hormone is available in the form of a pill that parents can crush and mix with their baby’s breast milk, formula, or water. Some formulations should be used with caution by parents. Thyroid hormone absorption can be hampered by soy protein and strong iron formulations.

• Blood testing will be required every few months once the baby is on thyroid hormone treatment. These tests will determine whether or not their TSH and T4 levels are within normal limits.

Conclusion 

Therefore it can be concluded, The introduction of iodized salt in the United States has made iodine deficiency no longer be regarded as a health problem for the population. However, it remains the most common preventable cause of reduced brain function in the globe. Because our bodies do not produce iodine, we must obtain it through our diet. Iodine enters the food supply through the soil. Iodine deficiency in the soil has been documented in several places of the world.