Rare cases of autoimmune hypothyroidism in young children

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2013;26(9-10):963-6. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2012-0423.

Abstract

Acquired autoimmune hypothyroidism is common in late childhood and adolescence but is very rare in the first 3 years of life. We report on three cases of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) in young children who presented with constipation, decreased appetite, and increased hours of sleep. Our cases highlight that AT may remain undiagnosed for a long time in young children owing to the rarity of the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Appetite / drug effects
  • Child, Preschool
  • Constipation / etiology
  • Constipation / prevention & control
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders / etiology
  • Growth Disorders / prevention & control
  • Hashimoto Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hashimoto Disease / drug therapy
  • Hashimoto Disease / immunology
  • Hashimoto Disease / physiopathology
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / prevention & control
  • Thyroid Gland / drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland / immunology
  • Thyroid Gland / physiopathology*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Thyroxine

Supplementary concepts

  • Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune