Objective: Determine the effect of CH on growth and ‎ development of children aged 1–60 months compared to normal children.
Methodology: A cross sectional study with comparison group comprising 118 children with ‎CH and 236 normal children was conducted ‎in Assiut, Egypt. Growth was measured by weight and length/height.‎ Developmental delay was screened using the ASQ3.‎
Results: Mean age in both groups was 19.6 months. Mean weight of CH cases was 6991.3±1907.4 gm versus 6912.3±188.2 gm for normal children in children aged 1- Regarding thyroid function, 15% and 23% of CH cases revealed overt and subclinical hypothyroidism respectively. Overt hypothyroidism showed significantly higher developmental delays than either eu-thyroid or subclinical cases in the communication gross motor, fine motor, and personal–social domains (64.7%, 42.9%, 43.8% and 42,9% respectively)
Conclusion:
CH children were significantly overweight, stunted and developmentally delayed compared to normal children. Impaired thyroid function was not associated with growth defects but overt hypothyroid cases showed significant developmental delay.
IQ testing and continuous monitoring are essential for all children with CH. Efficiently organized recording systems, treatment documents, and compliance and follow-up assessment results can facilitate hassle-free health-card retrieval
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