Untreated Thyroid Issues During pregnancy Linked to Increased Autism risk, Study Suggests
New York, NY – Emerging research indicates a potential link between untreated thyroid disorders during pregnancy and an elevated risk of autism in children, prompting calls for broader prenatal screening. While thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, routine thyroid testing isn’t currently standard practice in the US and many other countries.
Thyroid hormones are crucial for fetal brain progress, particularly in early pregnancy, supporting neuron growth, connection formation, and the production of myelin – essential for efficient nerve signal transmission. When left unaddressed,thyroid problems during pregnancy have been associated with miscarriage,pre-eclampsia,premature birth,low birth weight,and long-term developmental consequences for the child.
According to Paloma Health,a virtual clinic specializing in thyroid conditions,many cases go undiagnosed,with the American Thyroid Association estimating that up to 60% of individuals with thyroid disease are unaware they have it. Current medical practice typically only involves thyroid checks for women with pre-existing risk factors like a personal or family history of thyroid problems, autoimmune conditions, or past pregnancy complications, or if they exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, or a rapid heartbeat.
Recent findings underscore the importance of proactive monitoring. “These findings underscore the need for routine monitoring and timely adjustment of therapy to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels throughout pregnancy,” stated researcher Dr. Menashe.
Beyond autism,untreated thyroid issues during pregnancy have also been linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders,including ADHD. A large US study conducted in 2020 revealed that children born to mothers with underactive thyroids and low hormone levels shortly before or during early pregnancy were 24% more likely to develop ADHD.
“Our findings make clear that thyroid health likely has a much larger role in fetal brain development and behavioral disorders like ADHD than we previously understood,” explained Dr. Morgan R. Peltier, a professor at NYU Long Island School of Medicine and lead author of the ADHD study, in a statement released by NYU Langone.
