Cretinism; Congenital hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - infants
Prevention
If a pregnant women takes radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer, the thyroid gland may be destroyed in the developing fetus. Infants whose mothers have taken such medicines should be observed carefully after birth for signs of hypothyroidism.
Most states require a routine screening test to check all newborns for hypothyroidism. See also:
References
Harris KB, Pass KA. Increase in congenital hypothyroidism in New York State and in the United States. Mol Genet Metab. 2007; 91(3):268-277.
Previous Section
Review Date: 05/12/2009
Reviewed By: Robert Cooper, MD, Endocinology Specialist and Chief of Medicine,
Holyoke Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts
University School of Medicine, Boston MA. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously
reviewed by Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's
Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
