Catch‐Up Growth in Children With Congenital Hypothyroidism on Thyroxine Therapy: A Retrospective Study
Authors' conclusion
Early thyroxine initiation in CH is critical for optimal linear and skeletal growth. Delayed diagnosis is associated with slower, suboptimal recovery and an increased risk of compromised final adult height.
Study context
- Population
- Children with delayed diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism on thyroxine, in regions lacking universal screening
- Participants
- 65 children
- Exposure
- Age at thyroxine initiation: <1 year vs 1-<3 vs 3-<5 vs 5-10 years
- An = 25
- Outcome
- Catch-up growth: serial height z scores, skeletal maturation, proportion achieving catch-up growth, time to catch-up
- Follow-up
- After 3 years of thyroxine
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Catch-up in linear growth · within 3 years of treatment
| Group | Value | Median time to catch-up (IQR) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 76% | 22 [12-33] months |
A
Value76%
Median time to catch-up (IQR)22 [12-33] months
- Complete catch-up, all children
- 64.6% (42/65)
- Optimum catch-up, all children
- 56.9% (37/65)
- Complete catch-up, Groups B-D combined
- 57.5% (23/40)
- Optimum growth among B-D with complete catch-up
- 78.3% (18/23)
- Time to catch-up increased with later age at diagnosis, B-D (median range)
- 25-34 months
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Change in height z-scores
- Greatest change in first year post-treatment across all groups, declining thereafter
Catch-up in skeletal maturation
- Skeletal maturation catch-up, all children
- 72.3% (47/65)
- Occurred earlier than catch-up in linear growth
Original publication
Catch‐Up Growth in Children With Congenital Hypothyroidism on Thyroxine Therapy: A Retrospective Study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Published 23 September 2025. doi:10.
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