Abnormal Thyroid Levels In Pregnancy Increase Behavioral Problems in Boys

Thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioral problems. Abnormal levels may increase the risk of these problems.

Thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioral problems, as per the study in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Thyroid hormones are crucial for the normal development of a baby's brain and nervous system. During the first trimester, a baby depends on its mother's supply of thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta.

‘Boys born to mothers with high thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy were more likely to be withdrawn, have behavioral problems and be anxious or depressed.’
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Levels of maternal thyroid hormones, including stimulating thyroid hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), change dynamically during pregnancy, and both high and low maternal thyroid hormone levels can affect children's behavioral development.

"Our findings highlight the significance of close monitoring and management of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy," said Kun Huang, Ph.D., of the Anhui Medical University in Anhui, China.

"This research presents a new perspective in early intervention of children's emotional and behavioral problems."

Low Thyroid Levels Increases Risk of Developing Diabetes
People with low thyroid function have 13% risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and 40% the risk for pre-diabetics.

In China, the researchers studied 1860 pairs of mothers and their children from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort. The researchers repeatedly measured thyroid hormone levels in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

The researchers followed up with the families when the children were four years old and had them fill out a checklist to evaluate their behavioral problems.

The researchers found boys born to mothers with high thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy were more likely to be withdrawn, have behavioral problems, and be anxious or depressed. Moderate and low thyroid hormone levels were associated with aggressive behavior in preschool boys.

Source-Medindia