Hypothyroidism - Symptoms

Symptoms in Infants and Children

All babies are now screened for hypothyroidism in order to prevent retardation that can occur if treatment is delayed. Symptoms of hypothyroidism in children vary depending on when it first develops.

• Most children who are born with a defect that causes congenital hypothyroidism have no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do exist in the newborn they may include jaundice (yellowish skin), noisy breathing, and an enlarged tongue.
• If hypothyroidism is not detected and treated, early symptoms in the infant include feeding problems, failure to thrive, constipation, hoarseness, and sleepiness.
• Later on, symptoms in untreated children include protruding abdomens; rough, dry skin; and delayed teething. Rarely, in advanced cases, yellow raised bumps (called xanthomas) may appear under the skin, the result of cholesterol build-up.
• If they do not receive proper treatment in time, children with hypothyroidism may be extremely short for their age, have a puffy, bloated appearance, and have below-normal intelligence. Any child whose growth is abnormally slow should be examined for hypothyroidism.

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