All issues > Volume 27(6); 1984

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1984;27(6):592-602. Published online June 30, 1984.

A Clinical Study on Thyroid Disease in Childhood.

Shin Chul Jun, Chan Yung Kim

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Busan National University

Abstract

The author summarized 287 cases of children who were diagnosed as having thyroid disease at Pediatric O.P.D. of the B.N.U. Hospital from Jan. 1973 to Aug. 1983. The children were grouped according to their thyroid function tests and the observed clinical data are as follows: 1)The ratio between male and female patients was 1 : 9.3. Age distribution was puberty, infancy and school age in their order of frequency. 2) The results of thyroid function tests showed a majority of 170 cases (59.2%) with normal function, 79 cases (27.5%) with increased function and the remaining 38 cases (13.3%) with decreased thyroid function. 3)Types of thyroid disease observed in the increased thyroid function were 67 cases of diffuse toxic goiter (23.5%) which is most common and also a few cases of subacute thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In the normal function group, simple goiter was most common with 99 cases (34.5%) adenomatous goiter and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in their order of frequency. In the decreased function group, congenital thyroid disease was in 9 cases (31.1%) and acquird diseases in 29 cases (10.1%), Hashimoto's thyroiditisj was most common cause of acquired case. 4)Clinical manifestation included thyroid enlargement in almost all cases of increased function group and fatigability, palpitation were also commonly occurred. Exopthalmos 15 cases were observed. In the normal function group, all cases presented with thyroid mass. In the decreased function group, mental retardation, and growth retardation occurred in the congenital disease. But edema, anorexia and thyroid enlagement appeared in the acquired cases in their order of frequency. 52 cases of histopathological examination showed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in about half. 5) Treatment for the increased thyroid function was antithyroid drugs prophylthiouracil :and methimizole administration and the effectiveness of the antithyroid drugs for the thyroid function group was 83% and the side effects were seen in a few cases. Normal function group was observed without any medication. In the decreased thyroid function group, Comthyroid, thyroxin and desiccated thyroid were administered to all cases involved.

Keywords :Thyroid; Hyperthyroidism; Euthyroidism; Hypothyroidism