Maternal Overt Hypothyroidism and Neurobehavioral Outcome of Neonates: A Cohort Study from an Iodine-deficient Area of Northern India.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between maternal overt hypothyroidism and neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates in iodine-deficient region of Northern India (Kashmir Valley).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Endocrinology department of a tertiary-care hospital.


METHODS
82 hypothyroid pregnant women were enrolled and followed up till delivery. The neonates born to this group represented the case neonates. 51 euthyroid healthy pregnant women were selected as control group. The neonates born to these mothers served as controls.


METHODS
Early neonatal behavioral assessment at 3-4 weeks of age.


RESULTS
The mean TSH and free T4 in neonates of mothers with well controlled hypothyroidism was significantly different from those born to mothers with poorly controlled hypothyroidism and controls in 1st trimester, but the difference was statistically insignificant for 2nd and 3rd trimester values.


CONCLUSIONS
Overt maternal hypothyroidism in iodine-deficient area constitutes a risk factor for an abnormal neurobehavioral development of affected child.
Department of *Endocrinology, AIIMS, New Delhi; and Department of Pediatrics, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir; India. Correspondence to: Dr Javeed Iqbal Bhat, Department of Pediatrics, SKIMS Soura, Jammu and Kashmir 190 011, India. drjaveediqbal@gmail.com.
Mohammad Ashraf
MA
Ganaie
Bashir A
BA
Charoo
Riyaz Ahmad
RA
Sofi
Asif
A
Ahmed
Javeed Iqbal
JI
Bhat
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007194:India; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency*; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests
D007455:Iodine