THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HYPOTHYRODISM

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Abstract
Standardized motor, intellectual and behavioral tests were undertaken in a group of 56 children in the north of England [UK]. All were aged between 5 yr and 15 yr 11 mo. and all had congenital hypothyroidism. The results were compared with those of a control group. The mean IQ of the hypothyroid group was found to be 1-2 SD below the population mean. There was no correlation between developmental measures and age at diagnosis but in a subgroup with bone-age evidence of prenatal hypothyroidism there was a correlation between age at diagnosis and both intellectual and motor development. Intellectual development was normal among those treated before 1 mo. of age, but there was some evidence of disturbed fine motor and cerebellar functions.