Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in childhood

Chung, Hee Jung; Lim, Back Keun; Kim, Duk Hi; Yun, Duk Jin; Park, Chan Il

Abstract

Serum levels of T3, T4, TSH, 24-h RAIU and Thyroid antibodies were examined in 13 cases of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis who were diagnosed at the pediatric department of Yonsei University hospital during the period from 1978 to 1980. The results were as follows: 1. The age distribution was dispersed between 8 and 15 years of age and all the cases were female. 2. Common symptoms were Goiter, Poor Weight gain, fatigness, cold intolerance, lethargy, constipation and cold sweating. But in 5 cases(38%), there were no subjective symptoms. 3. The patients were classifed by their thyroid function state, as 1 case of hyperthroid group, 10 cases of euthyroid group, and 2 cases of hypothyroid group. 4. In the Euthyroid patients, Serum T3 concentration was 115-230ng/100ml)mean 167.4ng/100ml), T4 concentration 4.8-18.6microgram/100ml(mean 7.3 microgram/100ml) T3/T4 ratio 0.020-0.028(mean 0.024) and TSH was 37-60microU/ml(mean 49.5microU/ml). In the hyperthyroid patient, serum T3 concentration was 310ng/100ml. T4 concentration 14.9microgram/100ml, T3/T4 ratio 0.020 and TSH was 1.35microU/ml. 5. In 24-h RAIU, Euthyroid patients were in 2 cases of decreased state(15%), 2 cases of normal range (15~45%), and 6 cases of increased state(45%). All Hypothyroid patients were in normal range and hyperthyroid patient was in increased state. 6. Thyroglobulin antibody was positive in all the patients except 2 cases and microsomal antibody was positive in all the cases. 7.1 year of follow up study was performed in 4 cases of euthyroid patients, 1 case of hyperthroid patient, and 2 cases of hypothroid patients. There was no euthyroid patient who became hypothyroid state in the follow up study.