Can Low Thyroid Function in Pregnancy Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Low thyroid function, known as hypothyroidism, during pregnancy can lead to serious issues for the baby, but there is no direct evidence linking it to cerebral palsy. The baby’s brain relies on the mother’s thyroid hormones early in pregnancy before its own thyroid starts working around the midpoint. When maternal thyroid levels are low, it raises risks for problems like miscarriage, preterm birth, poor fetal growth, and preeclampsia. These complications can indirectly harm the developing brain by causing oxygen shortages or early delivery.
Cerebral palsy mainly stems from brain damage before, during, or right after birth. Common causes include lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy), premature birth, low birth weight, infections, or bleeding in the newborn brain. For instance, severe oxygen deprivation around birth often leads to cerebral palsy, as seen in legal cases where poor labor management caused brain injury. Genetic factors, like certain variations in the MMP2 gene, can make some babies more vulnerable after events like birth asphyxia, but they do not cause cerebral palsy on their own.
Studies on maternal hypothyroidism show links to neurodevelopmental issues in children, such as a slight increased risk of ADHD. Large reviews from medical registries in Denmark, Norway, and Israel, covering millions of pregnancies, found this association even after accounting for factors like diabetes, hypertension, and unhealthy lifestyle. Thyroid imbalances across pregnancy trimesters have also been tied to higher autism risk. However, none of these sources mention cerebral palsy as an outcome of low thyroid function. Instead, brain pH issues at birth or placental problems are more directly connected to cerebral palsy.
Good prenatal care helps manage thyroid levels. Doctors often screen and treat hypothyroidism with medication to support healthy pregnancy outcomes. While not every case of cerebral palsy can be prevented, addressing thyroid issues may lower related risks like preterm birth, which is a known factor.
Sources
https://www.adhdevidence.org/blog-tags/pregnancy
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731818/
https://feldmanshepherd.com/birth-injury-lawyer/cerebral-palsy/
https://www.medicoexperts.com/is-cerebral-palsy-curable/
https://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/news/maternal-obesity-neurodevelopmental-disorders/
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/clinical/pediatrics
