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A case of Hirschsprung disease: does thyroid hormone have any effect?
Makbule Eren1, Mustafa Celik, Sibel Kinik
1Department of Pediatrics, Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey.
The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|April 22, 2009
Summary
Hirschsprung disease, a neural crest cell defect, and congenital hypothyroidism can both cause neonatal bowel obstruction. This case suggests a potential link between thyroid hormone and neural crest cell migration in the colon.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hirschsprung disease involves impaired neural crest cell colonization of the colon, leading to neonatal functional obstruction.
- Congenital hypothyroidism is associated with bowel hypomotility and pseudoobstruction.
- Thyroid hormone influences neuronal development, but its role in enteric neural crest cell migration is unclear.
Observation:
- A patient presented with both Hirschsprung disease and congenital hypothyroidism.
- This co-occurrence prompted an investigation into a potential shared etiology.
Findings:
- The case highlights a potential interaction between thyroid hormone levels and the colonization of the colon by neural crest cells.
- This suggests a possible mechanism linking congenital hypothyroidism to Hirschsprung disease.
Implications:
- Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms by which thyroid hormone affects enteric nervous system development.
- Understanding this interaction could lead to novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies for both conditions.
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