Hypothyroidism in Children – Is Your Child Just Lazy or is This a Real Problem?

In some cases, hypothyroidism can affect children. This usually occurs in older children although children can be born with the disorder. Symptoms can include poor motor skills, learning problems, delayed puberty, tiredness, skin problems, low body temperature, and a delay in physical and intellectual development.

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder which can occur in children. A child can be born with the disorder or it can develop later in childhood.

To reduce the possibility of stagnation or a delay in physical and mental development, it is important to detect problems with the thyroid gland early on.

If it’s present at birth, hypothyroidism can be manifested in laziness, sleepiness, poor motor skills and prolonged neonatal jaundice. Other symptoms can include slow heart beat and low body temperature. There may be some physiognomic peculiarities like coarse facial features, a longer tongue, a broad root of the nose, pale and dry skin, a bulging belly and an umbilical hernia. To reduce the possibility of stagnation or delay in growing and mental development, it is important to detect thyroid conditions early on.

If the hypothyroidism develops later in childhood, symptoms are similar  to that of younger children. They can include poor motor skills, learning problems, delayed puberty, tiredness, skin problems, low body temperature, and a delay in physical and intellectual development. Also, it is important to diagnose the disorder early on so you can start with the proper therapy and minimize long term health issues.

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