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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[Thyroid function in obese children]
Insights
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) screening is recommended for obese children, as 9.5% of them present subclinical hypothyroidism. This study investigated thyroid function in obese pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Obesity Medicine
- Thyroidology
Context:
- Thyroid function in obese children remains under-researched.
- Obesity is a growing global health concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding thyroid function is crucial for managing obese children's health.
Purpose:
- To describe thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free plasma thyroxine (FT4) levels in obese children.
- To identify factors associated with thyroid dysfunction in this cohort.
- To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism among obese children.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 210 obese children (aged 2-18 years).
- Results showed hypothyroidism in 10% of patients, with 9.5% having subclinical hypothyroidism.
- Body mass index z-score (zBMI) was significantly correlated with TSH levels.
Impact:
- Findings support routine TSH screening for obese children to detect subclinical hypothyroidism early.
- Early detection and management can prevent long-term complications associated with thyroid dysfunction.
- This research contributes valuable data for pediatric obesity and endocrine health guidelines.
Introduction:
Study results regarding thyroid function in obese children are unknown. The objective of this study was to describe the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free plasma thyroxine (FT4), associated factors and frequency of hypothyroidism in these children.
Patients And Method:
A retrospective study of medical records of 260 obese children who consulted a physician for the first time between January 2007 and June 2012. Age, gender, puberty, weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were considered; body mass index (BMI z -score), weight/height (IPT) and height/age (NCHS 2000) were calculated, and TSH and FT4 were measured.
Results:
210 patients aged 2 to 18 years were included, 59% female, 51.4% prepubescent children, 23.9% were overweight and 76.1% obese. 70.8% of the children surveyed had central obesity. TSH and FT4 values were 2.31 μUI/mL (0.69 to 8.07) and 1.289 ± 0.17 ng/dL, respectively. Hypothyroidism was found in 21 patients (10%), 20 of these presented it as subclinical condition. An inverse correlation was present between age and log TSH and a direct correlation was described between log TSH and zBMI. Qnly zBMI was significant (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 8.2%, β 0.19) after using multiple regression. No differences in age, gender, nutritional status and puberty between euthyroid and hypothyroid patients were found.
Conclusion:
9.5% of patients presented subclinical hypothyroidism, which supports TSH screening in obese children.
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