Page 60 - Endokrin Sistem Histolojisi-Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Tuğçe Önel

Thyroid hormone deficiency during fetal development

results in irreversible damage to the central nervous system

(CNS), causing reduced numbers of neurons, defective

myelination, and mental retardation.

If maternal thyroid deficiency is present before the

development of the fetal thyroid gland, the mental

retardation is severe. Recent studies reveal that thyroid

hormones also stimulate gene expression for GH in the

somatotropes.

Therefore, in addition to neural abnormalities, a

generalized stunted body growth is typical. The

combination of these two abnormalities is called

congenital hypothyroidism.