Maternal Hypothyroidism and Sensorineural Disability

Abstract

Maternal thyroid hormones (THs; 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4)) exert vital roles throughout the development and show a permissive role in the neurological functions, in particular the sensorineural actions. The actions of THs can be mediated through the genomic and non-genomic pathways. On the other hand, there are associations between the maternal hypothyroidism and neonatal sensorineural deficits. A gestational hypothyroidism displays sensory and motor deficits, grave cognitive, permanent long-lasting variations in child brain structure, and neurodevelopmental disorders. During prenatal and early postnatal periods, any disruption in the levels of T4 or T3 can lead to irreversible disorders in sensorimotor and intelligence function, psychotic behavior, mental retardation, depression, coma and several morphological variations in the brain.