Abstract
ObjectiveTo establish ultrasound reference values for thyroid volumes in children up to 3 years of age, given that ultrasound of the thyroid is an essential examination in the diagnosis of childhood thyroid disease.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective study conducted in an iodine-sufficient city in southeastern Brazil. A total of 100 healthy children underwent clinical evaluation, anthropometric examination, and cervical ultrasound in accordance with conventional protocols. We evaluated characteristics such as echotexture, thyroid lobe volume, and total thyroid volume. The children were divided into five groups, by age: < 2 months; 2-12 months; 12-18 months; 18-24 months; and 24-36 months.ResultsThe mean thyroid volume was lower in the < 2 month age group than in the other groups (0.4 mL vs. 0.18-0.70 mL; p < 0.001). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, the mean volume was 1.0 mL (range, 0.30-2.0 mL). No other significant differences were observed between groups, thyroid lobes, or gender. However, body mass index correlated significantly with total thyroid volume (r = 0.347; p = 0.001).ConclusionThe mean thyroid dimensions were smallest in the < 2 month age group (0.35 ± 0.16 mL). For the subjects between 2 and 36 months of age, a reference value of 0.85 ± 0.42 mL can be used. Our data could guide the diagnostic investigation of thyroid disease, especially congenital hypothyroidism, in childhood.
Highlights
IntroductionThyroid diseases are among the most prevalent endocrine disorders in childhood and throughout life, ranging from those occurring at birth (congenital hypothyroidism) to those occurring during adolescence or adulthood (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
Thyroid diseases are among the most prevalent endocrine disorders in childhood and throughout life, ranging from those occurring at birth to those occurring during adolescence or adulthood
Physical examinations were performed in order to collect anthropometric data—weight, length, height, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA)—in accordance with the standards established by the World Health Organization[27]
Summary
Thyroid diseases are among the most prevalent endocrine disorders in childhood and throughout life, ranging from those occurring at birth (congenital hypothyroidism) to those occurring during adolescence or adulthood (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism). Since the 1980s, ultrasound has been widely used in the evaluation of the thyroid, because it is a noninvasive method that is accessible and does not expose patients to radiation, allowing the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with thyroid diseases[1,2,3,4]. Souza LRMF et al / Ultrasound thyroid volume in children under 3 years of age evaluation in congenital hypothyroidism, being a useful tool in the diagnosis of embryonic developmental disorders such as dysgenesis (including ectopia, agenesis, and hypoplasia) and thyroid dyshormonogenesis[5,6,7,8]. Thyroid volume is influenced by various factors, including age, dietary iodine intake, and anthropometric characteristics[9,10]
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