Frequency, clinical and laboratory features of thyroiditis in girls with Turner's syndrome. The Italian Study Group for Turner's Syndrome

Acta Paediatr. 1995 Aug;84(8):909-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1995.tb13791.x.

Abstract

A total of 478 patients, mean age 15.5 (3.6-25.3) years, suffering from Turner's syndrome, were studied in order to determine the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis, which is defined as the presence of antithyroid antibodies (AT-Ab) and typical ultrasound findings. We found 106 (22.2%) patients positive for AT-Ab and of those 49 (10%) also had positive ultrasound findings, and were therefore considered to be affected by thyroiditis. This frequency is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that seen in the normal population. Goitre was detected on clinical examination in only 16 (33%) and by ultrasound in 19 (39%) patients. Hormonal evaluation showed that 17 patients were euthyroid, 27 had compensated hypothyroidism, 2 were hypothyroid and 3 were in a hyperthyroid phase. Clinical signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism were absent in all hypothyroid patients. In patients with thyroiditis, neither a higher frequency of malformations and autoimmune diseases nor a correlation with karyotype, oestrogens or growth hormone therapy was found.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Gland / immunology
  • Thyroid Hormones / blood
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / genetics*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / immunology
  • Turner Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Turner Syndrome / genetics*
  • Turner Syndrome / immunology
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Thyroid Hormones