Related Experiment Videos
[Anomalies in thyroid function in children with trisomy 21]
1Institut de Puériculture, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Strasbourg, France.
Insights
Children with Down syndrome (DS) show abnormal thyroid function, with higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and lower reverse T3 (rT3) levels compared to healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Context:
- Down syndrome (DS) is associated with various health complications, including potential thyroid dysfunction.
- Thyroid hormone levels are critical for normal growth and development in children.
Purpose:
- To investigate and characterize thyroid function abnormalities in children with Down syndrome.
- To compare thyroid hormone profiles between children with DS and age-matched controls.
Summary:
- Serum concentrations of ultra-sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4, free T3, total T4, total T3, and reverse T3 (rT3) were measured in 60 children with DS (aged 3 months to 16 years) and matched controls.
- Children with DS exhibited significantly increased TSH levels and decreased rT3 concentrations compared to controls.
- The ratio of rT3 to TSH was also significantly lower in the DS group, indicating altered thyroid hormone metabolism.
Impact:
- These findings highlight specific thyroid function alterations in children with Down syndrome.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for monitoring and managing potential endocrine health issues in this population.
- Suggests the need for targeted thyroid screening protocols in pediatric Down syndrome care.
Abstract:
Thyroid function of 60 children with Down (DS) aged 3 months to 16 years was studied by evaluation of serum concentration of ultra-sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 and T3 (FT4, FT3), total T4 and T3 (T4 and T3) and reverse T3 (rT3). Each DS child was matched to a control of the same age. The concentration of TSH was increased in DS children while the concentration of rT3 of the DS children was significantly decreased compared to the controls as was the ratio rT3/TSH. These results showed that thyroid function of DS children is abnormal.