children s health issues
Hypothyroidism in the Newborn
Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism in the Newborn
Newborn screening test Thyroid function tests Imaging tests Because early treatment can prevent intellectual disability, all newborns receive a routine Newborn Screening Tests in the hospital after birth to evaluate thyroid function. If the result of the screening test shows a possible problem, Thyroid function tests , which are blood tests, are done. In affected newborns, the blood test shows an elevated level of thyroid-stimulating hormone and usually a lower level of thyroid hormone. After hypothyroidism of the newborn is diagnosed, doctors do imaging tests to evaluate the size and location of the thyroid gland. These tests include Radionuclide Scanning or Doctors do Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (MRI) of the brain and pituitary gland in children who have central hypothyroidism to rule out problems in the brain. 