CH stands for “congenital hypothyroidism”. Congenital means present at birth. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the person does not make enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck. Its job is to make specific hormones that help the cells of the body function correctly. The main hormone made by the thyroid gland is thyroid hormone, also called thyroxine or T4. It is released by the thyroid gland into the bloodstream whenever it is needed by the body. It helps cells work more efficiently and also helps maintain our body temperature. In babies and young children, thyroid hormone is crucial for normal growth and development of the body and brain.
People with hypothyroidism have specific symptoms and health issues. Babies who do not have enough thyroid hormone are often slow to grow, are sluggish, and have learning delays and other specific health problems. There are number of different causes for CH which are mentioned below.