Thyroid Diseases of Infancy and Childhood

Authored by highly experienced clinicians, the book presents this state-of-the-art information in two parts. The first section lays the foundation for understanding through an overview of thyroid hormone physiology and function. The second section reviews neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences of thyroid diseases in infancy and childhood.

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Psychiatric research has long focused on the study of neuroendocrinology in an effort to consolidate our understanding of the human brain and behavior. It has been established that abnormalities of certain hormones, in particular thyroid hormone, can contribute to our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. However, with the exception of untreated congenital hypothyroidism, little research has been dedicated to the role of thyroid hormones on the etiology of childhood psychiatric disorders. Thyroid Diseases of Infancy and Childhood: Effects on Behavior and Intellectual Development effectively summarizes the current data on this subject. Authored by highly experienced clinicians, the book presents this state-of-the-art information in two parts. The first section lays the foundation for understanding through an overview of thyroid hormone physiology and function.
The second section reviews neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences of thyroid diseases in infancy and childhood, with an emphasis on two congenital thyroid diseases -- congenital hypothyroidism and resistance to thyroid hormone -- as well as acquired thyroid diseases of childhood. The book's final chapter examines the role of environmental toxicants on the health and behavior of children. By examining the consequences of thyroid diseases, clinicians can gain greater insight into various psychiatric disorders of childhood, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities. This book serves as a comprehensive report on the behavioral and developmental effects of thyroid diseases in children and infants.