Hypothyroidism in children
Although most commonly seen in adult women, Hypothyroidism can and does occur in children. Approximately 0.0025% (1 in 4,000) of children experience the juvenile version of the condition, formally known as Hypothyroidism in Children.
For children afflicted by this condition it is very important they receive effective treatment. The condition can result in the delay and slow down of both physical and mental development.
Some common symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Children include:
- Fatigue
- Weight Gain
- Muscle weakness
- Depression
- Slow speech
- Dry skin
- Brittle or dry hair
- Constipation
- Muscular cramps
- Poor mental and school performance
- Slow development of teeth
- Delay in puberty]
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland in front of neck)
Children and infants with hypothyroidism
There are several types of Hyperthyroidism which can be found in young children or infants that are considered congenital or inherited.
Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is with the baby from birth. It is the most common type of Hypothyroidism occurring in infants. It comprises 90% of Thyroid cases found in infants. The thyroid gland itself may be out of place, underdeveloped, or failing to produce hormones.
A temporary version of CH accounts for the nearly all of the last remaining 10%. It typically occurs in cases where the mother had been treated for an overactive Thyroid. In the majority of cases this version of CH will subside within a period of 3-4 months.
Last of all there is a form of hypothyroidism in children that is considered to be an acquired disease and this affects mostly older children (more commonly found in girls than boys). This type typically results from an autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto’s disease and is typically found in children of puberty age or younger.
Detecting hypothyroidism disease in children
There is a very common test method that includes checking for thyroid diseases and that is the PKU (phenylketonuria) blood test. That will test for several maladies that affect infants and is done shortly after birth.
As infants typically are asymptomatic they may have it for months without any treatment. It is therefore important to ensure early tests are carried out.
There are a number of treatment options available to parents whose children have Hypothyroidism. The primary concern of parents is typically the health and welfare of their child. It is because of this many parents consider investigating natural, drug free treatment options.
The risks inherent with some of the drugs commonly prescribed for Hypothyroidism can produce significantly undesirable side effects. Because of this, more and more parents are choosing to seriously investigate natural alternative treatments.
Duncan Cappichiano ND an Australian Naturopath is at the forefront of clinical research of Hypothyroidism. His body of work and results have helped many thousands of people all across the world with their Thyroid condition.
Duncan’s seminal work can be investigated more thoroughly here.