Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Evaluation of Intellectual Function Associated with Maternal and Pediatric Thyroid Dysfunction

Yuko Yamauchi, Keiji Hashimoto, Hidetoshi Mezawa, Anri Kamide, Takeshi Kamikubo, Yasuhiro Naiki, Reiko Horikawa, Shiori Sato and Naoko Arata

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of intellectual function of children whose mother had thyroid dysfunction, as well as children with hypothyroidism. Methods: A total of 47 children aged five to seven, who were referred to the center for developmental evaluation at the national child health and development in Tokyo, Japan, were included in this study. The children were divided into two groups: Group A, children with euthyroidism whose mothers had thyroid dysfunction; Group B, children with hypothyroidism. For each group, unpaired t-test was conducted by comparing with the scores of the Japanese version of the Wechsler intelligence scale for children-fourth edition (WISC-IV). Results: There were 26 children in Group A, 21 in Group B. The scores of Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), Working Memory Index (WMI) and Processing Speed Index (PSI) by WISC-IV were significantly higher in Group A than Group B (FSIQ, VCI; P < 0.01, PRI, WMI, PSI; P < 0.05). Conclusions: There were differences in intellectual function between the children with hypothyroidism and the children who did not have low thyroid hormone level. Low level of thyroid hormone during the neonatal period may be important for intellectual development.