[Congenital hypothyroidism and the impact of thyroxine treatment].
BACKGROUND
We have studied the significance of the thyroxine treatment for neuropsychological functioning in young adults with congenital hypothyroidism.


METHODS
This is a neuropsychological follow-up study of a three-year cohort of early treated congenital hypothyroidism in Norway (N = 49) at age 20. Siblings comprise the control group (N = 41, 21 years).


RESULTS
The patient group performed weaker than the control group on cognitive and motor measures. They reported somewhat more psychosocial problems; fewer completed high school. A more severe hypothyroidism at the time of diagnosis was associated with a larger motor deficit at age 20. Better cognitive function in young adulthood was associated with a higher thyroxine starting dose and serum thyroxine level in the first years of life. Blood samples in young adulthood showed elevated thyrotropin levels in 45% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the new guidelines for treatment of congenital hypothyroidism with a higher starting dose of 10-15 microg thyroxine/kg/24 hours. The young adults are in need of better medical follow up.
Ørbeck
Beate
B
Regionsenter for barn og unges psykiske helse, Helseregion Øst & Sør (R-BUP), Postboks 23 Tåsen, 0801 Oslo.
Sundet
Kjetil
K
Jørgensen
Jens Veilemand
JV
Kase
Bengt Frode
BF
Heyerdahl
Sonja
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013974:Thyroxine