During the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is dependent on the placental supply of thyroid hormones from its mother. This substance is very important for the correct development of the baby’s brain and nervous system, and for this reason a group of researchers from Anhui Medical University (China) has discovered that the levels of this hormone during pregnancy could predict future emotional problems and behavior, specifically during preschool age.
According to the research, which has been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, in pregnant women both high and low levels of thyroid hormones – which include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) – can interfere with the behavioral development of children.
The tests to reach these conclusions have been carried out on 1,860 pairs of mothers and children, and consisted of measurements of the levels of thyroid hormones in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The children were screened when they were four years old and completed a checklist to detect possible emotional and behavioral problems.
Aggression due to moderate or low levels of thyroid hormones
The results showed that children whose mothers had high levels of thyroid hormone during pregnancy were more likely to have a withdrawn attitude, and were more likely to have behavior problems and to have anxiety or depression. Moderate and low levels of thyroid hormone in pregnancy were associated with aggressive behavior in offspring at preschool age.
Children of women with high thyroid hormone levels in pregnancy were at higher risk of being withdrawn and suffering from anxiety or depression
“Our findings highlight the importance of close monitoring and control of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy. This research presents a new perspective in the early intervention of children’s emotional and behavioral problems”, explained Kun Huang, principal investigator of the study.
By measuring the levels of thyroid hormones in pregnant women, many of the emotional and behavioral problems of their offspring could be predicted in the future, which would help to take early measures to prevent their appearance and reduce the psychological problems of children in preschool age.
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