When bones deceive: Beyond skeletal dysplasia

Abstract

Congenital hypothyroidism results from a partial or complete loss of thyroid function. It is the most common treatable cause of mental retardation. Thyroid hormone facilitates the growth and development of the skeleton through its direct effects on chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation and its permissive effects on the growth hormone. Due to the congenital hypothyroidism screening programs, congenital hypothyroidism is rare, and hence, other differential diagnoses are often considered in children presenting later in life with short stature and coarse facies such as storage disorders, genetic disorders, and skeletal dysplasia. This article aims to assess and discuss the value of radiology, especially plain radiography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism and prevent long-term mental retardation and neurological dysfunction.