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Growth in childhood thyrotoxicosis
1Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. wingkinwong@cuhk.edu.hk
European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 15, 1999
Summary
Children with thyrotoxicosis are taller than average and have advanced bone ages. This study found that these children achieve final heights exceeding their predicted target heights.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Childhood thyrotoxicosis is a rare endocrine disorder.
- The impact of thyrotoxicosis on pediatric growth patterns requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of thyrotoxicosis on children's growth.
- To determine the influence of thyrotoxicosis on final adult height.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 105 Chinese children (90 girls, 15 boys) diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis.
- Height and weight measurements converted to standard deviation scores (SDS) using established Chinese reference standards.
- Bone age assessment performed at diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Children presented with a mean height SDS of +0.73 and advanced bone development (mean bone development quotient of 1.16 +/- 0.11).
- After treatment, children remained tall for their age.
- A cohort of 53 girls achieved a mean final height SDS of +0.63, significantly exceeding their target heights.
Conclusions:
- Children with thyrotoxicosis exhibit accelerated growth and advanced bone maturation at diagnosis.
- Thyrotoxicosis does not impede final height attainment; rather, it leads to exceeding target heights.