The spectrum of thyroid diseases in childhood and its evolution during transition to adulthood: natural history, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management

Parental autoimmunity and offspring risks of rheumatic diseases: a nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Familial aggregation of systemic autoimmune diseases is frequently reported, but little is known about how fathers and mothers differentially contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases in their offspring. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal autoimmunity on the risk of offspring rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

We constructed a nationwide population-based cohort using data from the Maternal and Child Health Database and the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data (NHIRD) from 2004 to 2019. The outcome was presence of an autoimmune disease in the offspring. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted Cox models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for autoimmune diseases.

RESULTS

Babies born to a father or mother with an autoimmune disease had, respectively, 1.22 times and 1.38 times the risk of developing an autoimmune disease compared with their counterparts with no parental autoimmune diseases. Maternal autoimmunity substantially contributed to the risk of SLE (aHR = 5.46, 95% CI: 5.28-5.66), and paternal autoimmunity contributed to the risk of JIA (aHR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.71-1.81) and of type 1 diabetes mellitus (aHR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.39-1.81) in their offspring. The contributions of mothers to the risk of development of SLE (aHR = 8.55, 95% CI: 8.10-9.02) and inflammatory myopathy (aHR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.72-2.51) in their offspring were exacerbated in boys. Babies of two parents with an autoimmune disease showed a 1.39-fold risk of developing an autoimmune disease. The maternal contribution effect was stronger for preterm births than for full-term births.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated broadly how autoimmune diseases pass from parents to infants of both genders and separately quantified the maternal and paternal contributions to disease.

Is the prevalence of thyroid disease higher in children receiving antiepileptic medication? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Antiseizure medications (ASM) have long been examined for their potential to induce thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prevalence of thyroid disease in children up to 16 years receiving monotherapy with valproate (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ) and levetiracetam (LEV).

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane/CENTRAL databases and the gray literature were searched to identify observational studies providing the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in the target population under VPA, CBZ, or LEV monotherapy schemes. The results were pooled using a random-effects model, and additional subgroup analyses were performed for the three ASM groups.

RESULTS

Fifteen and thirteen studies met inclusion criteria for the qualitative and the quantitative analysis, respectively, with a total of 945 pediatric patients with prevalence data. Only VPA and CBZ were associated with thyroid dysfunction. The overall prevalence of thyroid abnormality was higher in children receiving ASM [odds ratio (OR) 6.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.96-11.75]. In the subgroup analysis, the prevalence of biochemical thyroid abnormality with increased TSH was higher in the VPA (OR 9.54, 95%CI 5.25-17.34) and the CBZ group (OR 4.08, 95%CI 1.84-9.04) compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the higher prevalence of biochemical thyroid abnormality in children under VPA and CBZ monotherapy, whereas no such evidence is present for LEV. In children with a predisposition for thyroid disease, LEV should be considered over VPA and CBZ, if appropriate for seizure type and epilepsy syndrome. More studies are needed to reach a consensus on monitoring and management of thyroid dysfunction in children receiving ASM therapy.

Selected Topics in the Pathology of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands in Children and Adolescents

The goals of this chapter in keeping with the overall general themes of this special edition will be (1) to highlight aspects of development of the thyroid and parathyroid glands with particular focus on the role and contribution of the neural crest (or not) and how this may impact on the pathology that is seen, (2) to emphasize those lesions particularly more commonly arising in the pediatric population that actually generate specimens that the surgical pathologist would encounter, and (3) highlight more in depth specific lesions associated with heritable syndromes or specific gene mutations since the heritable syndromes tends to manifest in the pediatric age group. In this light, the other interesting areas of pediatric thyroid disease including medical thyroid diseases, congenital hypothyroidism, anatomic variants and aberrations of development that lead to structural anomalies will not be emphasized here.

The diagnosis and management of central hypothyroidism in 2018

Central hypothyrodism (CeH) is a hypothyroid state caused by an insufficient stimulation by thyrotropin (TSH) of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. Several advancements, including the recent publication of expert guidelines for CeH diagnosis and management, have been made in recent years thus increasing the clinical awareness on this condition. Here, we reviewed the recent advancements and give expert opinions on critical issues. Indeed, CeH can be the consequence of various disorders affecting either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. Recent data enlarged the list of candidate genes for heritable CeH and a genetic origin may be the underlying cause for CeH discovered in pediatric or even adult patients without apparent pituitary lesions. This raises the doubt that the frequency of CeH may be underestimated. CeH is most frequently diagnosed as a consequence of the biochemical assessments in patients with hypothalamic/pituitary lesions. In contrast with primary hypothyroidism, low FT4 with low/normal TSH levels are the biochemical hallmark of CeH, and adequate thyroid hormone replacement leads to the suppression of residual TSH secretion. Thus, CeH often represents a clinical challenge because physicians cannot rely on the use of the 'reflex TSH strategy' for screening or therapy monitoring. Nevertheless, in contrast with general assumption, the finding of normal TSH levels may indicate thyroxine under-replacement in CeH patients. The clinical management of CeH is further complicated by the combination with multiple pituitary deficiencies, as the introduction of sex steroids or GH replacements may uncover latent forms of CeH or increase the thyroxine requirements.

2018 European Thyroid Association (ETA) Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Central Hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVES

Central hypothyroidism (CeH) is a rare form of hypothyroidism characterized by insufficient thyroid stimulation due to disturbed pituitary and/or hypothalamic functioning. Due to its origin and the whole clinical context, CeH represents a challenging condition in clinical practice as it is characterized by suboptimal accuracy of clinical and biochemical parameters for diagnosis and management. Since no expert consensus or guidance for this condition is currently available, a task force of experts received the commitment from the European Thyroid Association (ETA) to prepare this document based on the principles of clinical evidence.

STUDY DESIGN

The task force started to work in February 2017 and after a careful selection of appropriate references (cohort studies, case reports, expert opinions), a preliminary presentation and live discussion during the 2017 ETA meeting, and several revision rounds, has prepared a list of recommendations to support the diagnosis and management of patients with CeH.

RESULTS

Due to the particular challenges of this rare condition in the different ages, the target users of this guidance are pediatric and adult endocrinologists. Experts agreed on the need to recognize and treat overt CeH at all ages, whereas treatment of milder forms may be dispensable in the elderly (> 75 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of randomized controlled clinical trials, the experts provide 34 recommendations supported by variable levels of strength that should improve the quality of life of the affected patients and reduce the metabolic and hormonal consequences of inadequate management.

Treatment with thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormone deficiency can have important repercussions. Treatment with thyroid hormone in replacement doses is essential in patients with hypothyroidism. In this review, we critically discuss the thyroid hormone formulations that are available and approaches to correct replacement therapy with thyroid hormone in primary and central hypothyroidism in different periods of life such as pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, and adolescence as well as in adult patients, the elderly, and in patients with comorbidities. Despite the frequent and long term use of l-T4, several studies have documented frequent under- and overtreatment during replacement therapy in hypothyroid patients. We assess the factors determining l-T4 requirements (sex, age, gender, menstrual status, body weight, and lean body mass), the major causes of failure to achieve optimal serum TSH levels in undertreated patients (poor patient compliance, timing of l-T4 administration, interferences with absorption, gastrointestinal diseases, and drugs), and the adverse consequences of unintentional TSH suppression in overtreated patients. Opinions differ regarding the treatment of mild thyroid hormone deficiency, and we examine the recent evidence favoring treatment of this condition. New data suggesting that combined therapy with T3 and T4 could be indicated in some patients with hypothyroidism are assessed, and the indications for TSH suppression with l-T4 in patients with euthyroid multinodular goiter and in those with differentiated thyroid cancer are reviewed. Lastly, we address the potential use of thyroid hormones or their analogs in obese patients and in severe cardiac diseases, dyslipidemia, and nonthyroidal illnesses.

Uncertainties in endocrine substitution therapy for central endocrine insufficiencies: hypothyroidism

In patients with primary hypothyroidism (PH), L-T4 replacement therapy can safely be adjusted to the individual needs by testing serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration exclusively. Central hypothyrodism (CeH) is a particular hypothyroid condition due to an insufficient stimulation by TSH of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. CeH is about 1000-fold rarer than PH and raises several challenges for clinicians, mainly because they cannot rely on the systematic use of the reflex TSH strategy for diagnosis or therapy monitoring. Therefore, L-T4 replacement in CeH should rely on the combined evaluation of several biochemical and clinical parameters in order to overcome the lack of accuracy of the single index. The management of CeH replacement is further complicated by the frequent combination with other pituitary deficiencies and their treatment.

A standardized assessment of thyroid nodules in children confirms higher cancer prevalence than in adults

CONTEXT

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, but due to its rare occurrence in the pediatric population, the cancer risk of childhood thyroid nodules is incompletely defined, and optimal management of children with suspected nodules is debated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to study the presenting features and cancer risk of sporadic childhood thyroid nodules using a standardized clinical assessment and management plan.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital collaborated to create a multidisciplinary pediatric thyroid nodule clinic and implement a standardized assessment plan. Upon referral for a suspected nodule, serum TSH was measured and hypothyrotropinemic patients underwent (123)I scintigraphy. All others underwent thyroid ultrasonography, and if this confirmed nodule(s) ≥ 1 cm, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and compared to a control population of 2582 adults evaluated by identical methods.

PATIENTS AND RESULTS

Of 300 consecutive children referred for the initial evaluation of suspected thyroid nodules from 1997 to 2011, 17 were diagnosed with autonomous nodules by scintigraphy. Neck ultrasonography performed in the remainder revealed that biopsy was unnecessary in over half, either by documenting only sub-centimeter nodules or showing that no nodule was present. A total of 125 children met criteria for thyroid biopsy, which was performed without complication. Their rate of cancer was 22%, significantly higher than the adult rate of 14% (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Neck ultrasonography and biopsy were key to the evaluation of children with suspected thyroid nodules. Although the relative cancer prevalence of sonographically confirmed nodules ≥ 1 cm is higher in pediatric patients than adults, most children referred for suspected nodules have benign conditions, and efforts to avoid unnecessary surgery in this majority are warranted.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis: similar and dissimilar characteristics in neighboring areas. Possible implications for the epidemiology of thyroid cancer

CONTEXT

Medical centers worldwide report an increased frequency of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and thyroid cancer (TC), two environmentally influenced diseases. In Sicily, data on HT are available for the province of Messina (1975-2005); data on TC are available for the whole island (2002-2004), with the volcanic province of Catania having the highest incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To replicate in Catania, on comparable years, the HT data of Messina. DESIGN METHODS SETTING: Review of the clinical records of patients in years 1995-2005 to compare presentation and yearly changes of HT. During 1995-2005, records were computer stored in the Endocrine Divisions of the University Hospitals of Catania and Messina, two tertiary referral centers.

RESULTS

Catania is outnumbered by Messina (742 vs. 3,409 HT patients). Similar were the linear increase in the yearly number of HT patients, rates of thyroid dysfunctions though with different proportions of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism, and rates of positiveness for TgAb or TPOAb. Different were age and its yearly trend; gender distribution and rates of the sonography variants, though yearly trends were similar.

CONCLUSION

The HT epidemics is smaller in Catania, with changes in presentation overlapping partially those in Messina. Whatever environmental factors might be involved, they (and/or their intensity) were not necessarily the same in these provinces. Intriguingly, the expected number of TC in HT patients with thyroid nodules in Catania is congruent with that of the general population of this province, but it is far less than in the Messina province. Thus, TC and HT incidences could be influenced by distinct environmental factors.

Annual increase in the frequency of papillary thyroid carcinoma as diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration at a cytology unit in Sicily

OBJECTIVE

An increased frequency of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been reported in the literature, including studies based on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

DESIGN

To substantiate our own ascertainment of such an increase, we retrieved all the diagnoses of ultrasound-guided FNAC which was performed on 11,389 patients referred for cytological evaluation of a single or dominant thyroid nodule from 1988 to 2010. FNAC yielded 11,258 adequate specimens.

RESULTS

The number of patients with PTC was 200 (age 10-83 yrs) and increased significantly from 1988 to 2010 (r= 0.916, P<0.001). Expressing data as percent of FNAC in any given year, PTC and colloid goiter increased, while adenomatous goiter, follicular lesions and anaplastic or medullary thyroid cancer decreased. PTC accounted for 0% of all FNAC diagnoses in 1988 but for 2% in 2010, with a peak of 2.6% in 2006. Of interest, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) also increased, preceding the increase of PTC by 5-6 years.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that in the regions on either side of the Strait of Messina (Italy), PTC has become progressively more frequent during the 23-year period between 1988 and 2010 and that this increase lagged behind the increase of CLT.

Clinical review: Central hypothyroidism: pathogenic, diagnostic, and therapeutic challenges

CONTEXT

Central hypothyroidism (CH) is a particular hypothyroid condition due to an insufficient stimulation by TSH of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. This condition raises several challenges for clinicians; therefore, a review of the most relevant findings on CH epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical management has been performed.

METHODOLOGY

The relevant papers were selected by a PubMed search using appropriate key words.

MAIN FINDINGS

CH can be the consequence of various disorders affecting either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, but most frequently affecting both of them. CH is about 1000-fold rarer than primary hypothyroidism. Except for the neonatal CH due to biallelic TSHβ mutations, the thyroid hormone defect is rarely as profound as can be observed in some primary forms. In contrast with primary hypothyroidism, CH is most frequently characterized by low/normal TSH levels, and adequate thyroid hormone replacement is associated with the suppression of residual TSH secretion. Thus, CH often represents a clinical challenge because physicians cannot rely on the systematic use of the "reflex TSH strategy." The clinical management of CH is further complicated by the frequent combination with other pituitary deficiencies and their substitution.

Predictive factors of malignancy in pediatric thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND

Studies suggest that while most pediatric thyroid nodules are benign, there is a higher rate of malignancy than in adults. We investigate clinical factors that may predict malignancy in pediatric thyroid nodules.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 207 pediatric thyroidectomies was conducted over 15 years at 2 tertiary hospitals. Analyses examined predictive values of 16 clinicopathologic factors associated with cancer. Positive predictive values (PPVs) of fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens (FNABs) were analyzed independently.

RESULTS

Malignancy occurred in 41% of patients. After excluding missing data, malignancy was more likely with family history of thyroid cancer (34.2% vs 17.7%; P = .111), palpable lymphadenopathy (34.2% vs 2.9%; P = .001), and hypoechoic nodules (52.2% vs 19.2%; P = .016). Palpable lymphadenopathy indicated greater than 2-fold increased risk for malignancy (relative risk, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-3.05). PPVs of FNAB results were 0.94 for malignancy, 0.63 for suspicious for malignancy, and 0.55 for indeterminate lesions. PPV for benign FNAB to be benign on final pathology was 0.71.

CONCLUSION

While malignancy is associated with family history of thyroid cancer and hypoechoic lesions, palpable lymphadenopathy had the greatest risk. When compared to adults, a benign FNAB in children is not as accurate and the likelihood that an indeterminate nodule is cancer is greater.

Informatics of newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Alberta 2005-08: flow of information from birth to treatment

OBJECTIVES

Alberta maintains a universal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism, a condition which, when treated promptly prevents neurological impairment. Because the program relies on multiple stakeholders working in different areas, it is not known how effective the overall process is in achieving timely treatment initiation. Our objective was to analyze and describe the informatics of this program.

METHODS

Data were collected from the Newborn Metabolic Screening Program and physician offices for hypothyroidism screen positive infants born between january 1, 2005 and May 31, 2008. Where data were available, times were determined for each interval: birth to sample collection, collection to receipt in central laboratory, receipt to report to the primary clinician, report to confirmatory test, and finally confirmation to thyroxin treatment.

RESULTS

Complete information was found on the stages up until report generation. Although subsequent intervals had less complete data, all but 5 of the 57 newborns were followed to the endpoint of treatment initiation or diagnosis exclusion. The program was consistent and efficient in collecting, analyzing and reporting results to the primary physician by a median of 8 days (range 4-14 days). Subsequent steps resulted in a median time from birth to treatment of 11 days. There were 4 cases for which delays in clinician follow-up led to treatment initiation at 27, 34, 56 and 70 days.

CONCLUSION

Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in Alberta is efficient and consistent up until responsibility shifts to the community. Quality improvement work is needed to reduce potential delays.

An approach to the correlation between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroiditis in Chinese children

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a common skin depigmenting disease, which is thought to have, at least partly, an autoimmune aetiology.

AIM

To explore the correlation between paediatric vitiligo and other associated diseases, with an emphasis on autoimmune thyroiditis (AT).

METHODS

In total, 363 paediatric patients (198 boys, 165 girls) with vitiligo and 93 healthy children (55 boys, 38 girls) were screened for autoimmune thyroiditis. The two groups were matched for age and gender. Children with vitiligo were split into two groups according to type (segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo). Demographic data, clinical features and examinations were recorded using questionnaires. Thyroid function tests including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were performed. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels were assessed as well. Other associated diseases were also monitored in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 363 patients, 43 (11.8%) had abnormal levels of studied thyroid parameters, compared with 4 of the 93 controls (4.3%); the difference was significant (P = 0.04). The alterations of thyroid parameters and the incidence of AT in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo were both significantly different (P < 0.05, P = 0.04) relative to the segmental vitiligo group. Of the 363 patients, 67 (18.5%) had other associated diseases. There were no differences in the rates of other associated diseases between patients with segmental vitiligo and those with nonsegmental vitiligo (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant incidence of thyroid dysfunction was found in paediatric patients with nonsegmental vitiligo. As vitiligo usually appears before the development of the thyroid disease, it may be advantageous to screen thyroid functions and antibody levels in all paediatric patients with vitiligo, especially those with nonsegmental vitiligo.

Clustering of sebaceous gland carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma and breast cancer in a woman as a new cancer susceptibility disorder: a case report

Introduction

Multiple distinct tumors arising in a single individual or within members of a family raise the suspicion of a genetic susceptibility disorder.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 52-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with sebaceous gland carcinoma of the eyelid, followed several years later with subsequent diagnoses of breast cancer and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Although the patient was also exposed to radiation from a pipe used in the oil field industry, the constellation of neoplasms in this patient suggests the manifestation of a known hereditary susceptibility cancer syndrome. However, testing for the most likely candidates such as Muir-Torre and Cowden syndrome proved negative.

Conclusion

We propose that our patient's clustering of neoplasms either represents a novel cancer susceptibility disorder, of which sebaceous gland carcinoma is a characteristic feature, or is a variant of the Muir-Torre syndrome.

Central hypothyroidism

Central hypothyroidism (CH) is a rare cause of hypothyroidism due to an insufficient stimulation of an otherwise normal thyroid gland and it is caused by either pituitary (secondary hypothyroidism) or hypothalamic (tertiary hypothyroidism) defects. The diagnosis of CH is usually suggested by the finding of lowered thyroid hormone concentrations, associated with inappropriately low/ normal TSH levels. Restoration and maintenance of euthyroidism represent the therapeutic goals in all forms of CH. On these basis, the vast majority of patients with CH is treated with standard levo-thyroxine (L-T4) therapy which is tailored according to FT4 circulating levels that should be maintained in the normal range.

Gap analysis of pediatric reference intervals related to thyroid hormones and the growth hormone–insulin growth factor axis

Efficacy of laboratory medicine in assisting attending physicians in their diagnostic and follow-up endeavors is intimately linked to an access to meaningful and reliable reference values. Pediatrics is particularly sensitive to this problem as the processes, associated with growth and development, are imposing rapid discontinuous changes on the physiology of the individuals. Some developmental stages are more critical than others. The neonatal and the pubertal periods, for which we lack reference ranges, are two such examples. Beyond biological considerations, we realize that, over the last 2 decades, technology has evolved, both at the analytical and reagent levels. This technological evolution inexorably leads to the need in redefining reference values. It is for this reason that a group of clinical and medical biochemists have joined their efforts in creating the Canadian Laboratory Initiative in Paediatric Reference (CALIPER) which objective is to define a pan-Canadian set of reference values from birth to late adolescence. To illustrate the need of such a venture, a brief gap analysis for biochemical variables related to the thyroid function, and the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factors axis follows.

Normal range of calcitonin in children measured by a chemiluminescent two-site immunometric assay

Calcitonin (CT) assay is of considerable importance in the routine evaluation of thyroid nodules and for screening and follow-up of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and their relatives. Aim of this study was to assess the reference ranges for CT levels in healthy children and to evaluate possible differences in CT levels between sex and age. Serum CT levels were measured by a commercially available two-site chemiluminescence immunometric assay (sensitivity = 0.2 pg/ml). The ILMA recognizes the mature monomeric form of CT. We evaluated a cohort of 125 healthy children and compared these results with those from 98 healthy adult men and women. The ranges for human CT in children were <0.2-11.7 pg/ml and <0.2-17 pg/ml for female and male, respectively. No gender differences were observed in children population, though higher CT levels were observed in males. Serum CT levels did not correlate with age. Adult female had statistically significant lower CT levels than female children (p <or=0.05). In the adult population, males showed levels of CT higher than females. In conclusion, this study provide normal range for children population at different age with a sensible two-site chemiluminescent immunoassay. Since the normal range of serum CT levels is wider in healthy children than in adults, these data suggest establishing different normal range values in different age groups.

Use of the recombinant human TSH stimulated thyroglobulin level and diagnostic whole body scan in children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The recombinant human thyrotropin (TSH) (rhTSH) stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) level is a useful tumor marker for disease surveillance in adults with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We report our institution's experience using rhTSH in children. Seven children with DTC on thyroid hormone suppressive therapy after total thyroidectomy and radioablation received rhTSH (0.9 mg i.m.) on day 1 and 2. TSH rose to 224 +/- 93 mIU/l on day 2 and 13 +/- 5 mIU/l on day 5. Serum Tg level and diagnostic whole body radioiodine scan (DxWBS) were assessed on day 5. Five children were disease free: all had negative DxWBS; two had Tg < or = 2.1 ng/ml; two had anti-Tg antibodies; and one had no Tg measured. Two children had recurrent disease: one had a negative DxWBS and Tg of 15 ng/ml; and one had a positive DxWBS and no Tg measured. There were no adverse effects from rhTSH. These results suggest that rhTSH can be safely used for disease surveillance in children with DTC.

Relevance of thyroiditis and of other autoimmune diseases in children with vitiligo

BACKGROUND

Studies that clearly define the possible association of childhood vitiligo with autoimmune and/or endocrine diseases are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the presence of autoimmune disorders, in particular of thyroid disease, in paediatric patients with vitiligo and investigate the utility of such screening in these patients.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one paediatric patients (40 males, 81 females) with vitiligo were grouped in segmental and non-segmental vitiligo. All patients were screened for thyroid disease.

RESULTS

13 out of 121 patients had different degrees of thyroid parameter alterations. These patients were all affected by the non-segmental type while none of those with the segmental form presented thyroid alterations.

CONCLUSION

In paediatric patients with non-segmental vitiligo, a significant incidence of thyroid dysfunction was found. Since vitiligo usually appears before the development of the thyroid disease, it may be useful to screen thyroid autoantibodies in all paediatric patients with non-segmental vitiligo who present symptoms related to thyroid disease.

[Graves' disease in children: management and review of 20 patients]

INTRODUCTION

Hyperthyroidism is a rare condition among children and the most common cause is Graves' disease. The best therapy for these patients continues to be debated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of 20 patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism who were treated between 1989 and 2003 were reviewed. Clinical symptoms, thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid imaging tests, first line therapy, disease or treatment-induced complications and the need for a secondary treatment option, as well as outcomes, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Age at diagnosis ranged from 5 to 16 years and there were more girls than boys (3:1). The most frequent symptom was hyperactivity (58 %). The most frequent sign was goiter (79 %). Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin antibodies were found in 90 % of the patients, at the beginning or during the course of the disease. All of the patients received antithyroid medication as first line therapy, but remission was achieved in just one patient. Surgical thyroidectomy was required in three patients, and two patients were treated with radioiodine.

CONCLUSION

Because few children achieve remission with medical therapy, other types of treatment (surgery or radioiodine) are often required. Although antithyroid drugs are considered the first choice for treatment in Europe, some authors advocate radioiodine as the treatment of choice.

Evaluation and management of a solitary thyroid nodule in a child

Although an uncommon clinical entity, a pediatric patient with a solitary thyroid nodule requires a thorough assessment because of the increased incidence of thyroid carcinoma in this population. In the future, one may expect the widespread clinical use of genetic markers in identifying children, who are at risk for, or who have developed, thyroid carcinomas, with the hopes that these molecular markers will lead to the prevention, or earlier detection and cure, of these malignancies.