Congenital Hypothyroidism—Monitoring Thyroid Function in Infants

Abstract

Guidelines for monitoring thyroid function in congenital hypothyroidism (CH) are published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology, and the UK Newborn Screening Programme Centre. The fact that the recommendations are not uniform reflects management uncertainty. In addition, clinical care may not always be informed by these guidelines. Recent studies suggest that more frequent monitoring is indicated in some infants. Monitoring to identify delayed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) rise is indicated in pre-term, low birth weight, and sick full-term newborns. Monitoring thyroid function in infants with CH monthly after normalization of TSH until six months of age, and every one to two months between six and 12 months of age, will decrease exposure to suboptimal thyroid hormone levels. Assessment for permanency of hypothyroidism should be done only in children in which there is likelihood of resolution and not earlier than three years of age. In some instances when TSH elevations persist after normalization of the free thyroxine, it may be reasonable to try combined therapy with triiodothyronine.