pediatrics
Hypothyroidism in Infants and Children
Key Points
Hypothyroidism in infants is usually congenital; acquired causes become more common with age. Most congenital causes involve dysgenesis of the gland, but genetic disorders affecting thyroid hormone synthesis may occur. Most hypothyroid infants are detected through routine newborn screening. Confirm diagnosis with free serum thyroxine (free T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels; if confirmed, do imaging tests to detect structural thyroid disorders. Treat withlevothyroxine, adjusting the dose to maintain T4 and TSH levels within the normal range for age. 