Congenital hypothyroidism

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 24 Apr 2022

Congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), previously known as cretinism, can be of thyroidal or central (hypothalamic/pituitary) origin and can have a widely diverse molecular etiology.

Most children are asymptomatic at birth and are diagnosed after screening. In untreated congenital hypothyroidism, patients can present with short stature, disproportionately enlarged heads and/or developmental delay / intellectual disability 5.

  • disorders in development of the thyroid gland
  • disorders in thyroid hormone synthesis
    • TSH hyporesponsiveness
    • defects in iodide transport from circulation into the thyroid
      cell
    • defects in iodide transport from the thyroid cell to the
      follicular lumen, often combined with inner ear deafness (Pendred syndrome)
    • defects in the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide
    • defects in the oxidation of iodide, iodination and
      iodothyronine synthesis
    • defects in processes involved in the synthesis or degradation of thyroglobulin
    • detects in iodine recycling
  • central congenital hypothyroidism
    • disorders in development and/or function of the
      • hypothalamus
      • pituitary gland
      • both

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