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Thyroid Disorders in Children

Improper functioning of the thyroid glands in children causes various problems affecting their growth and mental health. It is important to detect these signs of thyroidism in their early stage and provide proper treatment to combat this disorder.

  1. Thyroid Diseases in Children

    • The malfunctioning of the thyroid gland causes thyroidism. There are basically two kinds of thyroidism::
      --Hypothyroidism, which is caused when the thyroid hormone T4 is not produced in sufficient quantities. Common symptoms include deceleration in growth; fatigue and diminished energy levels; delayed puberty in teens; galactorrhea, white discharge from breasts; and vision problems.
      --Hyperthyroidism is a state of increased production of the T4 hormone causing goiter; exophthalmos, protruding eyes; increased appetite; high blood pressure; sweating; and palpitations.

    Congenital Hypothyroidism

    • Congenital hypothyroidism is caused at birth. It affects the child's mental growth and IQ. Treatment with L-thyroxin is needed at the earliest time in these cases to avoid mental retardation.

    Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

    • Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes about 55 to 65 percent of euthyroid goiters and hypothyroidism in children and adolescents. L-thyroxin is best used as a treatment.

    Graves' Disease

    • Graves' disease also known as autoimmune hyperthyroidism, is caused when excess hormones are produced by the enlarged thyroid gland, producing nervousness, palpitations, difficulty in sleeping, rapid and abnormal growth and poor school performance. This is a rare condition and accounts for only about 10 15 percent of hyperthyroidism in children. Medical treatments include methimazole or propylthiouracil. Other forms of thyroid-ablative therapy or a thyroidectomy may be needed.

    Thyroid cancer

    • The improper functioning of the thyroid gland could also cause thyroid cancer in children. Papillary cancer is the most common kind of cancer found in children and is about 60 to 80 percent of the cancer cases The cancer requires surgery to be removed.

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