Thyroid dysfunction in children and adolescence: Experience of a tertiary care centre in Kerala

Abstract

Background: There is limited data regarding the prevalence of thyroid disorders in children and adolescents from India. Methods: All subjects aged 1-19 years, who underwent estimation of thyroid function tests (TFTs) at the EMS Memorial Cooperative Hospital and Research Centre, Perinthalmanna (2009-2013) were included in the study. Results: A total of 784 subjects (males-336, females-448), aged between 1-19 (Mean 11.12, SD-6.23) years, who underwent estimation of TFTs were studied. The prevalence rate of all thyroid function abnormalities was 9.18%. The thyroid function disorders were more common (10.89%) in adolescents (14-19 years) than children (1-13 years) (7.82%) and in females (12.05%) than males (5.36%) in both age groups. The prevalence rates of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), overt hypothyroidism (OH) and hyperthyroidism were 4.08%, 3.05% and 2.04% respectively. Conclusions: The thyroid function abnormalities are common in children and adolescents affecting about ~ 9% in study population. The SCH was the commonest thyroid function disorder, followed by OH and hyperthyroidism with female: male ratios of 2.5:1, 2.43:1 and 7:1 respectively. Majority of cases OH were of primary hypothyroidism. The SCH and hyperthyroidism were more prevalent in the adolescents than children; however, OH was more common in children than adolescents.

A Study of Clinical Profile of Thyroid Disorders in Children in A Tertiary Care Hospital, Kurnool

“…similar to Previously reported studies in Indian children have demonstrated a male: female ratio ranging from 1:2.9 to 1:3.4 (19)(20)(21), in Kerala, Prevalence of female:male ratios in subclinical hypothyroidism, overt Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism 2.5:1, 2.43:1 and 7:1 respectively [1], and in delhi it was 2.86 (females-5541 vs. males -1933) [22], in Western India 1:1.2 [18] and in eastern India study showed 66% of female participants were having thyroid disorders [23].…”

“…In the present study, the most common age group presenting with thyroid dysfunction is between 10 -12 (32.9%) years of age. In eastern Indian study the mean age at detection was 8.95 ± 3.96 years in the SCH group and 8.38 ± 3.29 years in the OH group [23], and in kerala, it was 7.82% in 1-13 of years children [1] and in western India noted that out of 65 cases having thyroid dysfunction, most of the patient belonged to age of 0-1 years and 9-12 years of age [18]. In a study done by Desai MP et al (19) on Autoimmune thyroid disease in childhood noted that maximum cases where in age group 9-12 years (44%) and (61%) in 6-12 years of age.…”

“…The thyroid function disorders are very common in the world [1] and also in INDIA [2], however, there is limited data regarding them in infants and children. Thyroid function disorders in infancy and childhood lead to unique effect on growth and maturation of many target tissues, including the brain and skeleton.…”

“…Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common preventable cause with worldwide incidence of 1:3000-4000, in India this ratio is 1:2500 -2800 [7,8]. The Prevalence of thyroid disorders in children (1-13 years) 7.82% was found in Kerala, South India [1], subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in an Indian study was found in <2% of study population [9]. The evolution rate of SCH to overt hypothyroidism (OH) on follow-up ranges from 0-28.8 % in another study [10].…”