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Autoimmune thyroiditis in children with Turner syndrome
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is common in children with Turner syndrome, with a 36% cumulative frequency at 10 years. Regular thyroid monitoring is crucial for early detection and treatment of potential thyroid dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Autoimmunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder affecting females.
- Thyroid dysfunction is a known complication in Turner syndrome.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) involves the immune system attacking the thyroid gland.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in children with Turner syndrome.
- To assess the risk of developing thyroid dysfunction in these patients.
- To evaluate the necessity of regular thyroid monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 77 children with Turner syndrome over 10 years.
- Regular assessment of antithyroglobulin antibody, antimicrosomal antibody, and thyroid function every 6 months.
- Analysis of data including age at diagnosis and antibody detection.
Main Results:
- AIT was detected in 27% of patients, with a cumulative frequency of 36% at 10 years.
- 14% of patients with AIT developed thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism).
- Both patients with a ring X chromosome developed AIT.
Conclusions:
- Taiwanese children with Turner syndrome have a high frequency of AIT.
- A significant proportion of these patients develop thyroid dysfunction.
- Regular thyroid autoantibody and function monitoring is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose:
To determine the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and the risk of development of thyroid dysfunction in children with Turner syndrome.
Methods:
From 1988 to 1998, 77 children with Turner syndrome were prospectively followed up at National Taiwan University Hospital. The mean (+/- standard deviation) age of these patients was 10.0 +/- 4.7 years at diagnosis of Turner syndrome and 17.4 +/- 5.2 years at the end of the present study. Antithyroglobulin antibody, antimicrosomal antibody, and thyroid function were assessed once every 6 months during the study period.
Results:
Thyroid autoantibodies were detected in 21 of the 77 (27%) patients. The mean age at the detection of thyroid autoantibodies was 12.2 +/- 5.2 years. The cumulative frequency of AIT at 10 years after diagnosis of Turner syndrome was 36%. Both patients with a ring X chromosome developed AIT. Three of the 21 patients (14%) with AIT developed thyroid dysfunction. One patient developed hypothyroidism at the time of the detection of thyroid autoantibody. Two other patients were noted to have hyperthyroidism 0.5 and 2.5 years, after the detection of thyroid autoantibodies, respectively.
Conclusions:
Our data demonstrated a high frequency of AIT in Taiwanese children with Turner syndrome. Some of these patients later developed thyroid dysfunction. Hence, this study has confirmed that regular follow-up assessment of thyroid autoantibody and thyroid function in Taiwanese children with Turner syndrome regardless of their age is necessary for timely diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and administration of appropriate treatment.