The present study intended to find out whether there are differences in mother-child interaction as well as to detect childhood behavior problems in ten children suffering from congenital hypothyroidism (HC), who had received early treatment, in comparison with a group of ten healthy children. When the children were between four--six years of age the interaction was videotaped during a free play situation and was assessed according to the Play Observational Scheme and Emotion Rating (POSER). The mothers answered the Child Behavior Checklist 4/18 (CBCL). No significant differences were found in mother-infant interaction measures, or on the child behavior problems. The lack of significant difference between the groups attests for the importance of early treatment in children with HC, which facilitates the quality mother-infant interaction and soften behavior problems in children.
Mother-infant interaction; child behavior problems; congenital hypothyroidism
