To assess the association of gestational thyroid function with regional gray matter morphology in offspring, highlighting its potential implications for brain development.
Key Findings:
Inverse J-shaped association of TSH with cortical surface area in the rostral middle frontal region, suggesting critical thresholds for thyroid function.
FT4 was not associated with cortical measures, indicating a potential specificity of TSH effects.
Children of hyperthyroid women had less gyrification in three frontal cortical regions, which may relate to cognitive outcomes.
Inverse U-shaped association of FT4 with caudate volume, indicating complex relationships between thyroid levels and brain structure.
Interpretation:
Maternal thyroid function during early pregnancy is linked to specific regional differences in offspring cerebral gray matter morphology, particularly in the frontal lobe, which may have implications for cognitive development.
Limitations:
Study limited to specific thyroid function categories and may not represent all thyroid conditions, such as autoimmune thyroiditis.
Potential confounding factors, such as maternal nutrition and socioeconomic status, were not fully controlled.
Conclusion:
Findings support the role of maternal thyroid function in influencing offspring brain development and may explain associations with behavioral outcomes, suggesting avenues for future research.
Nearly 40% of patients initiated thyroid hormone therapy within 2 years of hemithyroidectomy, with higher preoperative thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels and thyroid cancer identifying those at greatest risk.
