Thyroid function test abnormalities‐isolated TPOAb+, SCH and hypothyroxinemia and preschool children's neurodevelopment

ObjectiveThyroid function test abnormalities are frequent and associated with the offspring's adverse neurodevelopment. This study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal thyroid function test abnormalities before 20 gestational weeks and children's cognitive, emotional and behavioural development at 3–6 years of age.Patients and MeasurementsA total of 2243 mother–child pairs were included in the final analysis. Maternal thyroid function was evaluated retrospectively during the children's preschool period. The serum thyrotrophin, free thyroxine and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay during the follow‐up period. The neurodevelopmental status of preschoolers aged 3–6 years was evaluated by parental versions of The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐Preschool and The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires. The associations between maternal thyroid function test abnormalities and preschoolers' neurodevelopment were examined using Poisson regression models.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders in Poisson regression analyses, it showed that maternal isolated TPOAb positivity before 20 gestational weeks may be associated with the increased risk of abnormalities in peer problems (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26, 287). Maternal isolated SCH before 20 gestational weeks was observed to be related with increased risk of abnormalities in inhibition (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.37, 5.41), working memory (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.70), conduct problems (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.09), hyperactivity (OR = 1.94, 95% CI:1.08, 3.49) and total difficulties (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.34). Maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia before 20 gestational was observed to be related with increased risk of abnormalities in peer problems (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.27).ConclusionsThyroid function test abnormalities before 20 gestational weeks may be associated with children's neurodevelopment at 3–6 years of age.