Hashimotothyreoïditis bij kinderen en adolescenten: klinische, hormonale en echografische kenmerken bij de diagnosestelling
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in children and adolescents: clinical, hormonal and ultrasound features at diagnosis The clinical, biochemical and sonographic features of 51 children and adolescents (45 girls) being diagnosed with hashimotothyroiditis (HT) were studied. HT was diagnosed based on the presence of thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin antibodies, together with thyroid ultrasound compatible with thyroiditis or manifest hypothyroidism characterized by decreased free T4 and increased TSH levels. The median age of the patients was 12.8 years (range: 5.9 and 16.5 years). At the time of diagnosis, 18 patients (35.3%) were euthyroid, 16 (31.3%) subclinically hypothyroid, 13 (25.5%) hypothyroid, and 4 (7.8%) hyperthyroid. The reasons for referral were an enlargement of the thyroid gland (39.2%), symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism (35.3%) or an accidental finding on work-up for an unrelated problem (25.4%). The most common clinical manifestations were a goiter (60.8%), fatigue (60.8%), weight gain (25.0%), constipation (11.8%), hair loss (11.8%) and growth retardation (5,9%). A goiter was most common in the euthyroid children. Growth retardation was only observed in three hypothyroid children. On ultrasound an enlarged thyroid gland was diagnosed in 80.0% of the patients. Associated coeliac disease was diagnosed in four patients; one patient developed type 1 diabetes mellitus during the follow-up period and one patient developed Hashimoto’s encephalopathy.