HYPERTHYROIDISM: EXPERIENCE OF A PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY CENTER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v25.i2.9514Keywords:
Graves disease, hyperthyroidism, iodine, methimazole, recurrence, thyroidectomyAbstract
Introduction: Hyperthyroidism may have multiple etiologies, including Graves disease, toxic multinodular goiter and toxic adenoma. Although there is still some controversy, the first-line therapeutic option in Graves disease should be the one that best suit the characteristics of the patient and, when possible, adapted to their values and preferences.
Objective: To characterize pediatric patients with hyperthyroidism followed in a Pediatric Endocrinology Center.
Methods: Retrospective study with review of medical records of patients followed for hyperthyroidism between 2001 and 2013. Variables analyzed included demographic data, personal and family history, clinical and analytic presentation, diagnostic tests, treatment and follow-up.
Results: The study comprised 13 patients, the median age at diagnosis was 14 years and 85% were female. Regarding to etiology, 77% had Graves disease, 8% autoimmune hyperthyroidism with negative titer of thyrotropin receptor-blocking antibodies (TRAb), 8% multinodular goiter and 8% neonatal transient hyperthyroidism. In clinical presentation, we highlight the following symptoms: anxiety/irritability (46%), sudoresis (31%), palpitations (31%) and weakness/fatigue (31%) and the following signals: goiter (77%), weight loss (62%) and tachycardia (54%). 92% of patients had elevated antithyroid antibodies titers; 85% had an elevated TRAb titer. The first therapeutic option was mainly the methimazole (92%). One patient relapsed after discontinuing antithyroid medication and underwent radioiodine ablation. The patient with multinodular goiter underwent total thyroidectomy because of follicular tumor suspicion.
Conclusion: Data obtained are consistent with the literature. Therapy with methimazole presents a reduced risk of adverse reactions but low probability of remission so, in selected cases, definitive treatment should be considered.
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