Untreated congenital hypothyroidism can lead to what condition?

Untreated congenital hypothyroidism can lead to intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) due to the critical role that thyroid hormones play in brain development during the prenatal period and early infancy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the maturation of the central nervous system, and their absence can result in various neurological deficits that manifest as cognitive impairment and developmental delays.

In congenital hypothyroidism, if the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, the lack of thyroid hormones can hinder normal brain development, leading to significant challenges in intellectual functioning and overall developmental progress. Early diagnosis through newborn screening and subsequent treatment with thyroid hormone replacement can prevent or substantially mitigate these outcomes.

While other conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and spinal muscular atrophy are associated with various genetic and environmental factors, they are not directly caused by untreated congenital hypothyroidism in the way that intellectual developmental disorder is. Hence, the primary concern in untreated congenital hypothyroidism revolves around its potential to lead to IDD if appropriate intervention is not undertaken.