THYROID FUNCTION AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, LRH PESHAWAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.938Keywords:
Cognitive Development, Hypothyroidism, Pediatric Health, Thyroid FunctionAbstract
Thyroid hormones play an essential role in brain development and cognitive function. Hypothyroidism can adversely affect children's mental development, leading to long-term developmental delays. Objective: This research aims to assess the correlation between thyroid hormones and child mental health, specifically examining the effects of changes in thyroid hormones on the cognitive outcomes of children receiving treatment at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at LRH Peshawar from March 05, 2021, to September 05, 2021. One hundred children aged 2-8 years were randomly selected for the study. The mean age was 4.5 years, with a standard deviation of 1.3 years. Blood tests for TSH, T3, and T4 were performed to evaluate thyroid function. Cognitive development was assessed using standardised cognitive development tests appropriate for the children's ages. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, and inferential statistics were employed to compare cognitive test scores between children with normal thyroid function and those with hypothyroidism, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The study found that thyroid function significantly impacts cognitive development. Children with normal thyroid hormone levels had better cognitive abilities compared to those with hypothyroidism. The mean cognitive test score for children with normal thyroid function was 85%, whereas children with hypothyroidism had a mean score of 65%. The p-value for this correlation was less than 0.05, indicating a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism significantly affect brain development in children. Early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid dysfunction are crucial to prevent developmental impacts. Incorporating thyroid function screening into routine health check-ups can enhance children's cognitive development.
Downloads
References
Rovet, J. F., Ehrlich, R. M., & Sorbara, D. L. (1999). The effects of congenital hypothyroidism on intellectual development: a review and evaluation of the literature. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(2), 275-286.
Morreale de Escobar, G., Obregón, M. J., & Escobar del Rey, F. (2004). Role of thyroid hormone during early brain development. European Journal of Endocrinology, 151(Suppl 3), U25-U37.
Zoeller, R. T., Rovet, J. F. (2004). Timing of thyroid hormone action in the developing brain: clinical observations and experimental findings. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16(10), 809–818.
Bongers-Schokking, J. J., Koot, H. M., Wiersma, D., & Verkerk, P. H. (2000). Influence of timing and dose of thyroid hormone replacement on development in infants with congenital hypothyroidism. Journal of Pediatrics, 136(3), 292–297.
Chan, S., & Kilby, M. D. (2000). Thyroid hormone and central nervous system development. Journal of Endocrinology, 165(1), 1–8.
Zoeller, R. T. (2010). Environmental chemicals targeting thyroid. Hormones (Athens), 9(1), 28–40.
Zimmermann, M. B., Jooste, P. L., & Pandav, C. S. (2008). Iodine-deficiency disorders. The Lancet, 372(9645), 1251-1262.
Rovet, J. F., Ehrlich, R. M., & Sorbara, D. L. (1999). The effects of congenital hypothyroidism on intellectual development: a review and evaluation of the literature. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(2), 275-286.
Bongers-Schokking, J. J., Koot, H. M., Wiersma, D., & Verkerk, P. H. (2000). Influence of timing and dose of thyroid hormone replacement on development in infants with congenital hypothyroidism. Journal of Pediatrics, 136(3), 292–297.
Chan, S., & Kilby, M. D. (2000). Thyroid hormone and central nervous system development. Journal of Endocrinology, 165(1), 1-8.
Zimmermann, M. B., Jooste, P. L., & Pandav, C. S. (2008). Iodine-deficiency disorders. The Lancet, 372(9645), 1251-1262.
Zoeller, R. T., Rovet, J. F. (2004). Timing of thyroid hormone action in the developing brain: clinical observations and experimental findings. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16(10), 809-818.
Walker, S. P., Wachs, T. D., Grantham-McGregor, S., Black, M. M., Nelson, C. A., Huffman, S. L., ... & Richter, L. (2011). Inequality in early childhood: risk and protective factors for early child development. The Lancet, 378(9799), 1325-1338.
Black, R. E., Victora, C. G., Walker, S. P., Bhutta, Z. A., Christian, P., de Onis, M., ... & Uauy, R. (2013). Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet, 382(9890), 427-451.
Bhutta, Z. A., Das, J. K., Rizvi, A., Gaffey, M. F., Walker, N., Horton, S., ... & Black, R. E. (2013). Evidence-based interventions for improvement of maternal and child nutrition: what can be done and at what cost? The Lancet, 382(9890), 452-477.
Bhutta, Z. A., & Salam, R. A. (2012). Global nutrition epidemiology and trends. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 61(Suppl. 1), 19-27.
Dewey, K. G., & Begum, K. (2011). Long-term consequences of stunting in early life. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 7, 5-18.
Prado, E. L., & Dewey, K. G. (2014). Nutrition and brain development in early life. Nutrition Reviews, 72(4), 267-284.
Grantham-McGregor, S., Cheung, Y. B., Cueto, S., Glewwe, P., Richter, L., Strupp, B., & International Child Development Steering Group. (2007). Developmental potential in the first five years for children in developing countries. The Lancet, 369(9555), 60-70.
Morreale de Escobar, G., Obregón, M. J., & Escobar del Rey, F. (2004). Role of thyroid hormone during early brain development. European Journal of Endocrinology, 151(Suppl 3), U25-U37.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 I KHAN , . AYESHA, A MUHAMMAD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
