Ectopic thyroid as a cause of hypothyroidism in children

Abstract

In 52 hypothyroid children thyroid scintigraphy (131 I or Tc-99m) permited to detect ectopic thyroid in 25 cases (48,1%),athyrosis in 5 cases (9,6%),and thyroid at the normal site in 22 cases (42,3%). Ectopic thyroid was also found in two children at the time of operation, before the addmitance to our hospital.The group of 27 children with ectopic thyroid consisted of 17 girls and 10 boys from 6 months to 18 years old. Signs of hypothyroidism were evident before the end of the first year in 21 children (77,8%), but only 4 (14,8%) were diagnosed at that time. Serum thyroxine (n=18) ranged from 0,8 to 2,8 μg/dl (mean 1,35, SD±0,51). Values of TSH (n=10) ranged from 25 to 500 μU/ml. IQ (n=17) ranged from 36 to 101. Conclusion:1/ Ectopic thyroid is a prime etiological factor of hypothyroidism in our group.2/Ectopic thyroid becomes insufficient within the first year of life in 77,8% cases.