The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck, plays an essential role in regulating the body's metabolism. It also helps control a child's rate of growth. Over- or under-activity of the gland can cause symptoms and hinder a child's health and development. Growths or nodules on the thyroid can also result in health problems. Most states require hospitals to perform a routine screening of infants to check for metabolic disorders, including thyroid disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart rate, trembling hands, profuse sweating and nervousness. A child with hyperthyroidism might be unable to gain weight, despite eating large amounts of food. Depending on the cause of a child's hyperthyroidism, a doctor might treat him with antithyroid drugs to slow the rate of hormone production or with radioactive iodine to damage or destroy part of the thyroid.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism results from a sluggish thyroid that is unable to produce normal amounts of hormones. Children affected by hypothyroidism manifest a slowed rate of growth, according to the Magic Foundation, a support group for families affected by growth disorders. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include a slowed metabolism, dry skin, constipation, fatigue and feeling cold all the time. Children with hypothyroidism might suffer weight gain, even though they have little appetite. Doctors can treat this disorder with medication to supply a sufficient amount of the thyroid hormones.
Goiter or Nodule
An enlarged thyroid, called a goiter, can result from either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, thus the method of treatment depends on the cause of the goiter. Similarly, a lump or nodule on a child's thyroid can indicate thyroid over- or under-activity. Less frequently, a nodule is an indication of a cancerous growth. Doctors use a variety of diagnostic tests, including blood tests, ultrasound and fine needle biopsy, to discover the cause of an enlarged thyroid. In the event of thyroid cancer, a child will require surgery to remove part or all of the gland and must take lifelong medication to replace thyroid hormones. Children with thyroid cancer usually recover completely and go on to lead long lives.
Congential Thyroid Disorders
Screening at birth can detect congenital disorders of the thyroid. Such disorders are readily treatable, but if undetected, they can lead to mental retardation. The most commonly diagnosed congenital metabolic disorder is hypothyroidism, which affects one baby in every 3,000 to 4,000 births, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Problems might occur when a fetus fails to develop a functioning thyroid, or more rarely, when a baby's thyroid is unable to sufficiently produce or release thyroid hormone. Signs of congenital hypothyroidism in infants include increased birth weight, poor feeding, a hoarse cry, puffy face and swollen tongue, poor muscle tone and little growth.
