Congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition that affects infants from birth (congenital) and results from a partial or complete loss of thyroid function (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped tissue in the lower neck. It makes iodine-containing hormones that play an important role in regulating growth, brain development, and the rate of chemical reactions in the body (metabolism).

Congenital hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland fails to develop or function properly. In 80 to 85 percent of cases, the thyroid gland is absent, abnormally located, or severely reduced in size (hypoplastic). In the remaining cases, a normal-sized or enlarged thyroid gland is present, but production of thyroid hormones is decreased or absent. If untreated, congenital hypothyroidism can lead to intellectual disability and abnormal growth. In the United States and many other countries, all newborns are tested for congenital hypothyroidism. If treatment begins in the first month after birth, infants usually develop normally.

Studies of populations from North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia, indicate that congenital hypothyroidism affects 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 newborns. For reasons that remain unclear, congenital hypothyroidism affects more than twice as many females as males.

Mutations in the DUOX2, PAX8, SLC5A5, TG, TPO, TSHB, and TSHR genes cause congenital hypothyroidism.

Gene mutations cause the loss of thyroid function in one of two ways. Mutations in the PAX8 gene and some mutations in the TSHR gene prevent or disrupt the normal development of the thyroid gland before birth. Mutations in the DUOX2, SLC5A5, TG, TPO, and TSHB genes prevent or reduce the production of thyroid hormones, even though the thyroid gland is present.

Mutations in other genes that have not been well characterized may also cause congenital hypothyroidism.

Read more about the DUOX2, PAX8, SLC5A5, TG, TPO, TSHB, and TSHR genes.

Most cases of congenital hypothyroidism are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.

An estimated 15 to 20 percent of cases are inherited. Many inherited cases are autosomal recessive, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. Most often, the parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Some inherited cases (those with a mutation in the PAX8 gene or certain TSHR gene mutations) have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.