[Thyroid autoantibodies in children with recently diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]

119 newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) children - 59 girls and 60 boys aged 2-16 years were examined for the presence of thyroid autoantibodies (TA), T3, T4 and TSH levels. Estimate was repeated after 2 years with sonography of thyroid in children with the presence of TA. At onset of IDDM positive TA were found in 38 (32%) diabetic children - in 20 boys and 18 girls. The highest frequency of TA was stated in children aged 10-13 years. One boy with high TA was identified to have primary hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis. In the remaining of children T3, T4 and TSH were in normal ranges and there was no significant difference between TA positive and TA negative group. In the examination after 2 years TA were found in 24% of children who were positive at onset. There were significant differences in T3 and T4 levels between children with positive TA at onset of IDDM and after 2 years. Thyroid volume by ultrasound was significantly higher in AT positive children (10.79+/-4.1 ml) than in ones who were TA negative 2 years later (7.99+/-4.3 ml). In half of TA positive children ultrasound changes were observed.

High frequency of TA at onset of IDDM in children was observed. Careful follow-up examinations of thyroid function and ultrasound in that group are advised.