Consequences of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on the neuropsychological development in childhood

Abstract

Subclinical thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is a common clinical problem and has been shown to be associated with seriously impaired neuropsychological development in childhood. Undiagnosed and untreated subclinical hypothyroidism during early gestation can involve serious repercussions because newborns are euthyroid and don’t need prompt supervisions, but the maternal thyroid dysfunction is associated with a risk of a poorer cognitive and psychomotor development.
Nowadays they are many controversial issues regarding subclinical hypothyroidism screening, evaluation and management. The objective of the present review is to present an update on knowledge about the complex relationship between maternal thyroid deficiency and its potential consequences for the offspring from a neuropsychological perspective, and the preventive and therapeutic interventions that ought to be implemented in order to avoid them.