Newborn Baby’s Health Affected by Mom’s Thyroid Disorder

As recent as only a few short decades ago, questions emerged as to the relationship between developmental issues in babies and the thyroid disorder hypothyroidism. Researchers in Sweden recently conducted a study that focused on pregnant women with hypothyroidism and the possible effect on their unborn fetus.

According to the findings, the general results show that babies may be born with the thyroid disorder hypothyroidism when the mother is deficient in thyroid hormone. The results of the study are important because the team concluded that treatment for the mother’s thyroid hormone deficiencies within the early stages of pregnancy, before the developing fetus can produce its own supply of thyroid hormone, can limit or even prevent any mental or loco motor impairment that the baby may develop as a result of thyroid hormone deficiency.

Thyroid deficiency – hypothyroidism – effect on the fetus

During the first few months of pregnancy, the fetus relies on the mother for production of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone plays an important part in the development of normal brain function. According to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine, babies born to mothers with hypothyroidism during pregnancy had lowered IQ results.

Researchers stress the importance of thyroid tests for pregnant women.

As many as twenty-seven million Americans suffer from undiagnosed thyroid disorders. And nearly half of every fifty women who become pregnant in the U.S. may suffer from the thyroid disorder hypothyroidism. Researchers, therefore, stress the importance of a thyroid test for women who may be considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant.

Thyroid hormone test

The test for thyroid hormone deficiency is an easy and inexpensive blood test. The blood test is conducted in a hospital, doctor’s office or lab where technicians are trained to take blood. Only a small amount of blood is needed and the test is quick to administer. The blood test measures thyroid hormone T4 and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

The test can help identify - and then treat health problems that could endanger both the mother and the baby. Some blood tests are administered routinely for all pregnancies, and others are done if the pregnancy is considered high-risk.

Talk to your doctor

If you think that you may be pregnant or are considering pregnancy, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor for a personalized assessment. Check back here for more thyroid health issues and news.