Endocrine Abstracts

Background and Aims: Individuals with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism, autoimmune etiology. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in Down syndrome people is from 15% to 65%. Congenital hypothyroidism is about 25 times more common among newborns and infants with Down syndrome in comparison with the general population with incidence of 0.7% permanent cases and 0.3% transient congenital hypothyroidism cases, detected by newborn screening. Beyond the newborn period, the incidence of elevated TSH values in DS increases and has been reported to be as high as 85% of infants under the age of 12 months.

Goal: To estimate hypothyroidism during twelve years period (2007–2018.) in people with DS in Institute for Children and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia.

Results: During period 2007–2018. at Institute for Children and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, there were 60 children who suffering from DS. Twelve people with Down syndrome develop hypothyroidism (20%), two cases were detected by newborn screening as congenital hypothyroidism.

Conclusion: Down syndrome people have mild to moderate mental retardation, and untreated hypothyroidism cause deeper mental retardation. Hypothyroidism is a treatable cause of mental retardation. Clinical signs of DS and hypothyroidism overlapping and it is necessary to know that DS people more common have hypothyroidism, and check regularly thyroid hormone two times per year during a first year of life, and later during childhood one time per year. Early detection and treatment are essential to maximize cognitive abilities in this already impaired population. Regular follow a thyroid hormone fT3, fT4 and TSH in people who suffer from Down syndrome.