Lifestyle News | Abnormal Levels of Thyroid Hormone in Pregnant Women May Increase Preschool Boys' Behavioural Problems: Study
Get latest articles and stories on Lifestyle at LatestLY. A new study has found that abnormal thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioural problems.
Washington [US], January 9 (ANI): A new study has found that abnormal thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioural problems.
The research has been published in the 'Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism'.
Also Read | Migrant Labourers Once Again Leave for Home Fearing COVID-19 Lockdown as Cases Surge Continues.
Thyroid hormones are crucial for the normal development of a baby's brain and nervous system. During the first trimester -- the first three months of pregnancy -- a baby depends on its mother's supply of thyroid hormone, which comes through the placenta.
Levels of maternal thyroid hormones, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), change dynamically during pregnancy, and both high and low maternal thyroid hormone levels can affect children's behavioural development.
Also Read | Haryana: Heroin Worth Rs 35 Lakh Seized in Fatehabad, Two Arrested.
"Our findings highlight the significance of close monitoring and management of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy," said Kun Huang, Ph.D., of the Anhui Medical University in Anhui, China.
"This research presents a new perspective in early intervention of children's emotional and behavioural problems," Huang added.
The researchers studied 1860 pairs of mothers and their children from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort in China. The researchers repeatedly measured thyroid hormone levels in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The researchers followed up with the families when the children were 4 years old and had them fill out a checklist to evaluate their behavioural problems.
The researchers found boys born to mothers with high thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy were more likely to be withdrawn, have behavioural problems, and be anxious or depressed. Moderate and low thyroid hormone levels were associated with aggressive behaviour in preschool boys.
Other authors of the study included Peixuan Li, Yuzhu Teng, Xue Ru, Zijian Liu, Yan Han, and Fangbiao Tao of the Anhui Medical University. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)