Children born to mothers who have low thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy , tends to be weak in mathematics . Especially when they are still sitting at the elementary level . Researchers in the Netherlands conducted a study of 1,196 healthy children growth . From birth to the age of five years , after the record levels of thyroxine their mother at the age of 12 weeks of pregnancy . They then look at the results of tests of children to language and arithmetic . They were born to mothers with low thyroxine levels , tend to score below the arithmetic average. " Similar results were seen in children who undergo a language test , " said Martijn Finken at the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam , who led the study . Math test results are also similar although considering the background of the child's family .
Low levels of thyroxine in pregnant women associated with poor mental development in infants growth . So may lead to learning difficulties and reduce physical growth . " Does this problem persist into adulthood remains to be seen . We will continue to follow these children to answer the next big question , " said Finken . He suggested in the future , hormone tests may be used to identify children who will require extra help in math in school . " There is a possibility that these children can benefit from hormone supplements , to increase their brain development in the womb , " he said . " The treatment has been tried in the past but failed to improve cognitive abilities , although the time of treatment can affect its success . "
These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the four European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology in Dublin , Ireland .
