[Neuropsychiatric outcome in patients with congenital hypothyroidism precautiously treated: Risk factors analysis in a group of patients from Tuscany].

AIM

In order to avoid an excessive medical monitoring and to obtain more functional medical controls for the outcome of children with early treated congenital hypothyroidism, the results of a neurological and psychiatric follow-up performed in area Pisana since 1990 are revised. This analysis gives some indications to get over the differences of the various methodological approaches and to get better rehabilitation treatment in respect to the individual needs.

METHODS

Our study group includes 52 children with early treated congenital hypothyroidism; a semiquantitative score was used to assess sociocultural level (SCL) of the family. Cognitive and language performances were evaluated by Griffiths Mental Development Scale and with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R).

RESULTS

Study group mean total scores in cognitive tests are within the normal range, motor and language impairments have been noted, instead. These skills are significantly correlated with pretreatment serum thyroxine (T4). In addition a low SCL is a great risk factor for the occurrence of mild impairments in neuropsychological development.

CONCLUSIONS

In arranging the neuropsychological follow-up in early treated congenital hypothyroidism it is recommended to keep in mind the importance of the combination of neonatal endocrinological factors (in particular, pretreatment serum thyroxine) and SCL on the cognitive, motor and language development.