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Pattern of hypothyroid disorders in Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH)
Bogale Worku1, Meaza Tilahun, Sara Semere
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Congenital hypothyroidism affects 13% of pediatric thyroid disorder cases in Ethiopia. Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent mental retardation, a common sequela of thyroid agenesis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Thyroid disorders are a significant health concern in children.
- Congenital hypothyroidism can lead to severe developmental issues if untreated.
- Early diagnosis and management are critical for optimal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism in children attending a specialized clinic in Ethiopia.
- To identify the common causes of hypothyroidism in this pediatric population.
- To highlight the association between hypothyroidism and mental retardation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of new pediatric patients with thyroid disorders at Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH) in 1996.
- Data collection included patient demographics and thyroid disorder diagnoses.
- Analysis of hypothyroidism subtypes: congenital and juvenile.
Main Results:
- Out of 126 new patients, 31 (24%) had hypothyroidism.
- Congenital hypothyroidism accounted for 17 (13%) cases, and juvenile hypothyroidism for 14 (11.5%) cases.
- Thyroid dysgenesis was the most frequent cause of permanent hypothyroidism, often associated with mental retardation.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are prevalent in Ethiopian children.
- Thyroid agenesis is a primary cause of permanent hypothyroidism and is strongly linked to mental retardation.
- Early clinical suspicion and intervention for congenital hypothyroidism are essential; nationwide screening is recommended.
Abstract:
All children with thyroid disorder attending the endocrinology clinic of the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH), Addis Ababa in 1996 were included in this study. One hundred twenty six new patients from all over the country were referred to the clinic for thyroid disorder and 31 patients (24%) were found to have hypothyroidism. Seventeen (13%) had congenital hypothyroidism while the rest 14(11.5%) were categorised to have juvenile hypothyroidism. Thyroid dysgenesis is the commonest cause of permanent hypothyroidism. Mental retardation was the accompanied manifestation in all the cases with thyroid agenesis except in two children. Mental retardation being the commonest permanent sequelae in aplastic hypothyroidism is of utmost concern and its prevention is desirable, therefore high index of clinical suspicion with a close observation for early feature of congenital hypothyroidism is warranted for early intervention and in the future nation wide screening for hypothyroidism is recommended.