Diffuse Nontoxic Goiter in Children and Its Impact on Dental Pathology

Abstract

The objective of the research was to assess the thyroid status of children with diffuse nontoxic goiter and its effect on dental pathology depending on age.Materials and methods. Clinical observation of 226 children at the age of 12-15 years was conducted. To analyze their thyroid status, serum levels of total thyroxine, free thyroxine, total triiodothyronine, and thyroid stimulating hormone were determined using enzyme immunoassay. The following thyroid indices were calculated for the integral estimation of the functional state of the pituitary-thyroid system: the peripheral inversion index (total triiodothyronine/total thyroxine), the integral index (total triiodothyronine + total thyroxine/thyroid stimulating hormone) and the indices of thyroid stimulating hormone/total triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone/total thyroxine. Their dental status was determined by means of standard indices recommended by the World Health Organization.Conclusions. In children with euthyroid enlargement of the thyroid gland, there were detected changes in the thyroid status within the reference range. According to the direction of changes in the most indices, dysthyroidism is characterized by the reduced thyroid function that can affect metabolic processes in the body, including the dentofacial system, as evidenced by significantly worse indices of the intensity of damage to hard dental tissues and periodontal tissues in children with diffuse nontoxic goiter.