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Course Description

Course Number 20-688634

Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common neonatal endocrine disorders and, if left untreated, can lead to severe developmental disorders. In the past 2-3 decades the incidence of CH has apparently been increasing.  As the prevalence of CH increases, so does the need for nurses to provide education to the parents of children with CH, particularly pertaining to serious complications of untreated CH and importance of follow-up. The primary focus of this activity is to provide the healthcare professional with an up-to-date knowledge of CH including; occurrence, screening strategies, causes and ranges of severity of CH.  Developmental disorders, genetic variants, syndromes and clinical features associated with CH are also discussed.

  • Course Category | Endocrinology

  • Original Activity Release Date | 09/26/2018

  • Date of Most Recent Review | 09/20/2021

  • Next Review / Activity Termination Date | 09/19/2024

Educational Goals & Learning Outcomes

     The goal of this course is to provide clinicians with an up-to-date knowledge of CH including; occurrence, screening strategies, causes and ranges of severity, associated developmental disorders, genetic variants, syndromes and clinical features of CH. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Appraise how newborn screening has improved the ability for early detection of CH

  • Differentiate the causes and ranges of severity for CH

  • Categorize deficiencies for central and primary CH

  • Distinguish clinical features of genetic variations and syndromes associated with CH

  • Compare screening strategies for CH and the relationship between TSH, T4, FT4

  • Support the importance of screening. and treatment for CH

About the Course Author(s)

Christine E. Cherella and Ari J. Wassner

Dr. Christine E. Cherella, M.D. is affiliated with Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Endocrinology and Harvard Medical School. She graduated from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2012 and has been a practicing Pediatrician in Boston for 6 years.  She completed her residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. To view Dr. Cherella's full bio click here.

Dr. Ari J. Wassner, M.D. is affiliated with Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, MA as; Attending Physician for the Division of Endocrinology; Director of the Thyroid Program; Fellowship Program Director for the Division of Endocrinology and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. He received his Undergraduate degree from Haverford College, Haverford, PA in 2000, his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA in 2005 and completed a combined residency program (BCRP) at Boston Children's Hospital in 2008 becoming Chief Resident at Boston Children's in 2009. He completed his fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital in 2012. To view Dr. Wassner's full bio click here.

Course curriculum