Clinical and subclinical maternal hypothyroidism and their effects on neurodevelopment, behavior and cognition

• Published in: Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 89 - 95
• Main Authors: Batistuzzo, Alice, Ribeiro, Miriam Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia 01.02.2020; Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Animals; behavior; Brain - embryology; Brain - physiopathology; cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - complications; Maternal-Fetal Exchange - physiology; Mice; offspring; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - blood; Pregnancy Complications - physiopathology; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimesters; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Review
• ISSN: 2359-3997; 2359-4292
• DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000201

Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism are the most common hormonal dysfunctions during pregnancy. Insufficient maternal thyroid hormones (THs) in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to severe impairments in the development of the central nervous system because THs are critical to central nervous system development. In the fetus and after birth, THs participate in neurogenic processes, cell differentiation, neuronal activation, axonal growth, dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis and myelination. Although treatment is simple and effective, approximately 30% of pregnant women in Brazil with access to prenatal care have their first consultation after the first trimester of pregnancy, and any delay in diagnosis and resulting treatment delay may lead to cognitive impairment in children. This review summarizes the effects of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism on fetal neurodevelopment, behavior and cognition in humans and rodents. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):89-95.