Interactions of Thyroid Hormones; Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF Binding Proteins, and Nutritional Anthropometric Parameters in School Children with Goiter Detected by Palpation

Abstract

In the present study we evaluated anthropometric indices, serum thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF- binding proteins (IGFBPs) levels, in children who has palpable goiter at endemic population. We aimed to 1) compare children with palpable goiter with healthy peers, 2) detect interaction of anthropometric indices, serum thyroid hormones, IGF-1 and IGFBPs parameters in both groups 3) evaluate the effects of their nutritional status to these parameters. We performed goiter palpation to 1 018 child and found goiter at 81 child. Seventy-three pubertal children were included in this study. Seventy-five healthy children were defined as the control group. Weight and height of all children were measured. Thyroid hormone levels, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-1 were assessed in both groups. Height and weight SDS were significantly lower in children who had goiter by palpation than healthy peers (p<0.05). Free T4 (FT4) levels were significantly higher in control group than children with palpable goiter (p<0.05). IGF-1 level and IGF-1 SDS were significantly lower in children with palpable goiter (p<0.001), IGFBP3 and IGFBP1 levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in underweight children with goiter than normal weight group. In the presence of goiter, IGF-1 levels were lower (B: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98, p<0.001). In endemic areas, children with palpable goiter were shorter and thinner than the healthy peers. Thyroid hormones were between the reference ranges. In children with palpable goiter, IGF-1 levels were lower and IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-1 levels were not different from the healthy control group. However, at the presence of goiter IGF-1 levels decrease. This decrease can be the result of insufficient nutrition and result in short stature and weakness than their healthy peers.