Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Evaluate anamnesis, clinical and laboratory parameters in children with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT).

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively 211 children in the endocrinological department of University hospital (Minsk) over 2002–2011 years. The number of boys (B) 42 (19.9%), of girls (G) -169 (80.1%) (stage on Tanner1- 15 (35.7%) B, 58 (24.3%) G; stage2-3 – 19 (70.3%) B, 65 (58.6%) G; stage 4-5 – 8 (29.7%) B, 46 (41.4%) G). Ultrasound of thyroid gland, levels of TSH, free T₄, Anti-TPO were analyzed. The results were processed using the Statistic 6.1.

Results: Positive family history on the endocrinopathies were in 87 (41.2%) patients (thyroid diseases – 61 (28.9%), DM2 – 22 (10.4%), DM1 – 2 (0.95%), other endocrinopathies – 2 (0.95%) cases). The average volume of the thyroid was 138.4±40.4% – B, 153.4±64.8% – G from the age norms (P=0.1). 97 (45.9%) patients – subclinical hypothyroidism, 74 (35.1%) – euthyroid, 40 (19%) – primary hypothyroidism.

TSH level in prepubertal B – 18.7±8.36 (0.23–3.4 μIU/l), G – 12±2.76 (P=0.5); early pubertal B – 10.5±6.8, G – 10.4±1.9 (P=0.8); late pubertal B – 3.3±0.5, G – 12.36±5.14 (P=0.5).

Free T4 level in prepubertal B – 15.46±1.01 (10–23.2 pmol/l), G –14.67±0.55 (P=0.2); early pubertal B –17.48±1.46, G –14.26±0.38 (P=0.3); late pubertal B – 19.57±0.7, G –15.7±0.77 (P=0.1).

Anti-TPO level in prepubertal B – 331.2±78.6 (<30 U/ml), G – 581, 7±100.8 (P=0.04); early pubertal B – 613.5±140.5, G – 710.4±100.5 (P=0.3); late pubertal B – 584±293, G – 376±53.2 (P=0.6).

There was positive correlation between Anti-TPO level and thyroid volume in all cases (r=0.18 P=0.007).

Conclusions: AT was manifested with the development of subclinical hypothyroidism and goiter. The maximum volume of the thyroid and level of Anti-TPO was in early puberty. The most pronounced decrease of thyroid function was in prepubertal boys, in girls reliable differences of TSH level with the development of puberty was not observed.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.