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Ultrasound measurement of thyroid volume in euthyroid children under 3 years of age
Luís Ronan Marquez Ferreira de Souza1, Nathalie de Almeida Sedassari1, Eduarda Lemes Dias1
1Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Insights
This study establishes thyroid volume reference values using ultrasound for children up to 3 years old. These findings aid in diagnosing childhood thyroid diseases like congenital hypothyroidism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Thyroid Ultrasound
Background:
- Thyroid ultrasound is crucial for diagnosing pediatric thyroid disease.
- Establishing normative data is essential for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine ultrasound reference values for thyroid volumes in children up to 3 years of age.
- To provide data for the diagnosis of thyroid conditions in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 100 healthy children in Brazil.
- Cervical ultrasound to measure thyroid lobe and total thyroid volume.
- Children categorized into five age groups from <2 to 36 months.
Main Results:
- Mean thyroid volume was significantly lower in infants <2 months (0.35 ± 0.16 mL).
- For children aged 2-36 months, the mean thyroid volume was 0.85 ± 0.42 mL.
- Body mass index showed a significant correlation with total thyroid volume (r=0.347, p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Established reference values for pediatric thyroid volumes by age.
- Data supports the diagnostic evaluation of thyroid disorders, including congenital hypothyroidism.
- Ultrasound measurements provide valuable insights into normal thyroid development in children.
Objective:
To establish ultrasound reference values for thyroid volumes in children up to 3 years of age, given that ultrasound of the thyroid is an essential examination in the diagnosis of childhood thyroid disease.
Materials And Methods:
This was a prospective study conducted in an iodine-sufficient city in southeastern Brazil. A total of 100 healthy children underwent clinical evaluation, anthropometric examination, and cervical ultrasound in accordance with conventional protocols. We evaluated characteristics such as echotexture, thyroid lobe volume, and total thyroid volume. The children were divided into five groups, by age: < 2 months; 2-12 months; 12-18 months; 18-24 months; and 24-36 months.
Results:
The mean thyroid volume was lower in the < 2 month age group than in the other groups (0.4 mL vs. 0.18-0.70 mL; p < 0.001). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, the mean volume was 1.0 mL (range, 0.30-2.0 mL). No other significant differences were observed between groups, thyroid lobes, or gender. However, body mass index correlated significantly with total thyroid volume (r = 0.347; p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The mean thyroid dimensions were smallest in the < 2 month age group (0.35 ± 0.16 mL). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, a reference value of 0.85 ± 0.42 mL can be used. Our data could guide the diagnostic investigation of thyroid disease, especially congenital hypothyroidism, in childhood.
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