Congenital Heart Disease Accompanying Congenital Hypothyroidism and Related Factors, a Study in Mofid Children’s Hospital

Congenital hypothyroidism results from abnormal structure, position, or hormone production of the thyroid gland. Since common genetic and developmental pathways exist, congenital heart disease may accompany it.

In this cross- sectional descriptive study, 75 children with congenital hypothyroidism were evaluated by echocardiography using the census method. They had been detected during the national screening program of neonates; the diagnosis had been documented then. Patients with Down syndrome, low birth weight, and less than 1-month age were excluded from the study. Mean and standard deviations for quantitative variants and frequency for qualitative variants were applied.  Student’s test- test, Pearson’s chi- square, and correlation index were used for data analysis.

Congenital heart disease was detected in 20% of these hypothyroid children, including 12% atrial septal defect, 4% atrial and ventricular septal defects, and 4% mitral valve prolapse. Patent foramen ovale was detected in 21 children. No cardiac abnormality was reported in 52% of children. Gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the congenital heart disease group (P=0.000).

Congenital heart disease is relatively prevalent in Iranian children with congenital hypothyroidism. We recommended cardiac evaluation for all hypothyroidism cases detected by the national screening program