During the period January 1994 to December 1997, a total of 560
cognitively delayed children were prospectively screened for
congenital hypothyroidism in the paediatric neurology clinic at
Jordan University Hospital. Seventeen (3%) children were
diagnosed to have congenital hypothyroidism. Mean age at
diagnosis was 15 months (range 1.8-72 months). Main presenting
symptoms (other than cognitive delay) were seizures, lethargy,
poor feeding, constipation and prolonged neonatal jaundice.
Thirteen (76.5%) of the 17 extrathyroid-associated anomalies
involved the central nervous system (CNS). This finding reflects
the study population chosen for the present study. All 17
patients had some degree of cognitive improvement ranging from
slight improvement to achieving normal milestones after taking
L-thyroxine. Congenital hypothyroidism is common in cognitively
delayed children. The presence of major abnormality of the CNS
should not be regarded as the only possible cause of cognitive
delay and thyroid function should be assessed in such children.
Institution
Department of Pediatrics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman,
Jordan.
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