hypothyroidism at birth

  I have a 7 week granddaughter that has just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
  I am serching for anyone that has any information on the causes of and care of the infant. Also searching for any sites that would be of help to my son and his new baby.
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Dear Donna:
Hypothyroidism refers to a decrease in the normal function of the thyroid gland , one of the endocrine glands in the body , situated in the middle of the neck , responsible for producing the thyroid hormones ( T3, T4 ) and a unique protein called thyroglobulin ( TG ) .
Congenital hypothyroidism is when the thyroid function is low since birth.
1.  The most common cause being thyroid dysgenesis ( no thyroid gland or a small , poorly functioning thyroid gland ). Most infants have no symptoms during the early weeks of life . Most have low T4 and high TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone ) on their newborn screen . Repeat studies are essential as some infants may have abnormal newborn screens due to technical errors , low levels of TBG ( thyroid binding globulin )
2.  Congenital hypothyroidism can also occur from abnormalities in the TSH synthesis ( TSH is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland that works in harmony with the hypothalamus, both glands being a part of the endocrine system in the body , located in the brain ). TSH regulates the function and activity of the thyroid gland. If this is suspected , other functions of the pituitary gland need to be investigated.
3.  Inborn defects in the thyroid function comprising 10 % of all Congenital causes of hypothyroidism.
Infants who have congenital hypothyroidism are born with little or no symptoms . Signs and symptoms , if left untreated , would appear at about 6-12 weeks of age . The earliest signs would include prolonged jaundice , low temp. , poor appetite , difficulty in breathing with feeding. Later , other signs develop. Thick tongue , hoarse cry , muscle weakness , umbilical hernia , constipation , low basal heart rate. Growth retardation ,and developmental delay.
To avoid these symptoms as much as possible , early treatment with thyroid hormone supplement (Sodium L-thyroxine ) is necessary with a good follow up of the circulating levels of the thyroid hormones ( by blood draws ) , the pediatrician being in close contact with the endocrinologist . The pediatrician will also keep a close watch on the baby