Developmental psychologic study of children with congenital hypothyroidism

Abstract

T7n present study comprises a sample of490 children congenital bypothyroidism distrihuted in two groups: 13 patients, all girls wüh gland agenesis and 27 patients (18 girls and 9 hoys) with ectopic tbyroids. 1vlean age of the girls with agenesis at the start of treatment was X=27. 7 days and X=28.3 in those with bypofunction. Mean T4 in girls with agenesis was X=J.06 andX=3.89 in those with hypofunction.
Socio-econo1nic and cultural levels were similar in hoth grups. Tbe results q/3 evaluations at 2, 4 and 6 years are presented.
Tests used were Denver, JvlcCarthy, Rey and WISC, together with a computerized clinical history in which data on ,notar development, sleep hehaviour, relationship alterations, language disorders, anxiety levels q/the parents were assessed hy the STA! (state­trait anxiety inventoiy) anxiety questionnaire. Results show an intellectual leve! distrihution siinilar to that q/ the general population. Fine motor prohlems appeared at 2 years and personal social hehaviour was under-developed. Percentages q/ children witb sleep disorders were higb. Furthermorc, .fi'oni 1 ycarcs on, languagc disordcrs, tyrannical and absorben! hehaviour and perceptions altemtions were detected. No signf/icant dif/erences were obserued in any o/ these parameters according to their aetiologies. In contrast, at 6 years, and in the agenesis group, inhihited behaviour and anxiety .1ymptoms became evident, coinciding witb tbe schooling period cmd with signficant d!l/'erences hetween the hypn/únr:tinning gland and the other ages. In general, cmxiety levels q/ the mothers were bigber tban tbose of tbejo thers and decreased as tbe child grew older.