Symptoms of Thyroid Disease in Children

The thyroid gland is a fairly large butterfly shaped gland found below the Adam's apple in the front of the neck. It is the gland that regulates all of the metabolic and chemical processes in our bodies from the cellular level up. Proper functioning of the thyroid is necessary for our growth and normal development.

Features

When the thyroid malfunctions it can run the body processes at a faster rate or a slower rate than is necessary for development, growth and general good health. An overactive thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Too little thyroid hormone production produces hypothyroidism. Children can be born with a congenital form of hypothyroidism that occurs when there is poor or no thyroid production or there is no thyroid gland at all.

Effects

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is related to an iodine deficiency or a problem with the pituitary gland function. Untreated infants with hypothyroidism can develop improper growth and development and even cretinism, a form of severe mental retardation. Within just a few days, these babies would experience trouble feeding, constant crying, subnormal body temperature, constipation, jaundice and, within a short time, the child would also have an enlarged tongue, umbilical hernia, poor muscle tone, slow reflexes, puffiness and hoarse crying, as well as severe brain damage. Since 1976, a heel prick test to test the thyroid gland for all infants is mandatory. If the infant has hypothyroidism, it is corrected easily with the drug known as T-4 or Thyroxine. If the child is treated, there should be no effects from this condition. In 1 out of 10 infants the CH is temporary and it usually lasts from days to months and then the child is fine. This is called Transient Form CH.

Types

Neonatal hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid problem that occurs at birth. This is fairly uncommon but if the mother has Graves Disease which causes her thyroid stimulating antibodies to cross the placenta into the child's thyroid, her child will have hyperthyroidism. In most cases, the infant's body will flush out the thyroid stimulating antibodies out of his system within a few months. In rare cases, the infant must be treated for this condition with an anti-thyroid medication which will correct the thyroid. When Graves disease is present it is recommended that the mother contact a pediatric endocrinologist before the baby is born. The symptoms of this type of hyperthyroidism are a very rapid pulse, moist and flushed skin and excessive appetite combined with a failure to thrive.

Significance

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most commonly seen form of hypothyroidism in children and teens. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and interferes with its functioning. This disease can have an onset from birth to near adulthood and so it can be overlooked for years. It can cause excessive tiredness, cold sensitivity, itchy and dry skin, loss of energy, poor concentration, swelling and weight gain, and constipation. This is diagnosable with a simple TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test. This is treated with hormones that the child will have to stay on for life.

Prevention/Solution

The treatments for thyroid disease in children depend upon the type and severity of the problem. Sometime anti-thyroid drugs may be used, including cabimazole and PTU (polythiouracil) which are taken for a short time in some cases and for years in others. In other instances, blocking the normal thyroid production and replacing the production artificially is better suited to finding the proper thyroid balance. In rare cases, surgery or radioactive iodine may be indicated. Whatever the treatment, the child should be watched very closely, with blood tests and the monitoring of symptoms experienced.

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