Review of Breastfeeding on Hypothyroidism in Infants and Early Childhood

Background: Deficiency of thyroid hormones at any time from the first weeks of life to two years after birth can impair the growth and activity of brain cells and affect brain function and intelligence. Numerous evidences show the benefits of the breast feeding in prevention of many medical conditions for child.  While congenital hypothyroidism is linked to prenatal circumstances, mostly related to maternal factors, later hypothyroid diseases in infants might be associated to nutritional status of the newborn. In this study we reviewed different aspects of the breast feeding or formula feeding in relation to the hypothyroidism in early childhood.  Methods: This was a narrative review study. Results: our review abstracted the link of breastfeeding with hypothyroidism in three main topics of (i) iodine concentrations of the maternal milk and hypothyroidism in infant; (ii) comparison of the breastfeeding and bottle feeding for incidence of the hypothyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity; and (iii) role of breastfeeding in treatment of the congenital hypothyroidism.  Conclusion: our study discussed the gain a victory in benefits of the breastfeeding over the formulas and disadvantages of the soy-based formulas.  In case of indications of formula nutrition in infants, iodine intake and supplementation should be considered.   

Keywords:

Keywords: Breastfeeding , Thyroid Hormones , Infancy , Formula , Hypothyroidism