[The role of viral and bacterial infections in the development of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis]

To specify the role of viral and bacterial infections in the onset of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, analysis was made of the premorbid state of 118 children aged 4 to 14 years. In 81% of the patients, a number of unfavourable factors were identified: hereditary aggravation as regards thyroid pathology, complicated antenatal period in the presence of chronic viral and bacterial infections in the mother, contact with the sick relatives taking care of the child, frequently occurring viral and bacterial infections in children, resulting in the formation of the polyimmunopathological process. This supports the multifactorial nature of the disease and dictates the necessity of early diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases not only in the child but also in the relatives.