Evaluation of Iron Status with Abnormalities of Thyroid Function in Children

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Iron deficiency can negatively affect thyroid function. This research was done to find out whether children's thyroid levels and iron status are related.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional research of 300 children attending the outpatient clinic of Pediatric Department at Damietta General Hospital, was carried out., Their ages were between 6 and 12 years. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum irons, overall iron binding capacities, triiodothyronine (t3), thyroxine (t4), thyroid releasing hormones, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and percent transferrin saturation were measured in blood samples.
 Results: In the group, there were 235 children who were euthyroid (78.3%), overtly hypothyroid (1.7%), subclinically hypothyroid (17.7%), as well as subclinically hyperthyroid (2.3%). Children who were anemic and iron-deficient frequently had hypothyroidisms, both overt and subclinical. When compared to non-anemic and iron-sufficient children, Hb levels and transferrin saturation showed a strong positive association (r = 0.322, p< 0.001), although fT3 and fT4 showed only modest correlations (r = 0.069, p = 0.358, and r = -0.022, p = 0.676, respectively). In comparison to non-anemic and iron-sufficient kids, the likelihood of hypothyroidisms (overt and subclinical) in anemic and iron-deficient kids was 6.624 (95% CI: 3.233-11.796, p< 0.001) and 1.828 (95% CI: 1.182-3.338, p = 0.034), accordingly.
 Conclusion: Children frequently have anemia, iron insufficiency, and thyroid dysfunctions. Children in this group who were iron-deficient and anemic showed impaired thyroid functions.