CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: AGE AT START OF TREATMENT VERSUS OUTCOME

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Abstract
Patients (27) with congenital hypothyroidism were studied by neurological and psychometric methods. Seven healthy siblings served as a control group for the psychometric evaluation. In 7 patients treatment [thyroid replacement therapy] had been started before the age of 1 mo. and in 10 patients after the age of 3 mo. Evidently the progressive loss of intelligence potential starts from birth but if treatment is begun before the age of 1 mo., then intelligence remains within normal range. The neurological damage seems to originate partly before birth, but more serious injuries arise if treatment is delayed beyond the age of 3 mo.