Pediatric Hypothyroidism: Implications for Down Syndrome and Autism - Dr. Erica Peirson

On May 23, 2014, 3:37 pm

Nearly all children with Down syndrome require thyroid gland support. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism has greatly changed in the last 40 years. Patients are no longer treated based on very obvious symptoms. Doctors need to return to a better understanding of the clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and stop treating numbers on a page instead of treating patients. Tragically, many children with Down syndrome who have obvious signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are going untreated resulting in preventable delayed development. Many studies exist to support the connection between hypothyroidism and Down syndrome. Hypothyroidism in the mother is also connected to the development of Down syndrome within the child and should be recognized and addressed to avoid neurological damage to the unborn child. Dr. Peirson will review the physiology of thyroid hormone and it's connections to the neurological development and overall health of children with Down syndrome.

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