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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with alopecia areata
1Clinic of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Pediatric Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria. alkurtev@yahoo.com
Background:
Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is often associated with alopecia areata (AA) in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Forty-six children (23 girls and 23 boys), with a mean age of 9.9 +/- 3.38 years (2.24-17.5 years), were included in a study to assess thyroid function and thyroid autoantibody formation in AA. The size and function of the thyroid gland [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test; fluoroimmunologic assay (FIA), Delfia], antithyroglobulin (TAT) and antimicrosomal (MAT) antibodies (microhemagglutination method), thyroid gland ultrasound, and indices of cellular and humoral immunity were assessed.
Results:
Thyromegaly was found in 29 children (63%). Increased basal TSH levels were present in six of the 29 (13.3%) and hypothyroid-type stimulated secretion (TRH test) in two (out of 12). TAT was increased in 17 (39.5%) and MAT in 14 (33.3%) children with AA. Thyroid ultrasound examination was suggestive of AT in 13 (34.2%) and typical of AT in five (13.2%) children.
Conclusions:
We diagnosed AT in 22 of 46 children with AA (47.8%). The immune studies revealed increased activated T lymphocytes. We recommend that thyroid gland size and function and antibody formation be examined at the diagnosis of AA and twice a year thereafter.
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