Hypothyroidism In Children Research Articles

Obesity-related subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood: Elevated triglycerides but not basal metabolicrate.

Studies on the associations between obesity-related subclinical hypothyroidism with basal metabolic rate and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents are scarce. Retrospective cohort study of children with obesity (n = 294) from the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Childhood Obesity cohort. Differences in basal metabolic rate quantified by indirect calorimetry, and the cardiovascular risk factors; body mass index, blood lipids, fasting and 2 h oral glucose tolerance test glucose, glycated haemoglobin and insulin resistance, between subjects with and without subclinical hypothyroidism were investigated. The associations of baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and ΔTSH with change in cardiovascular risk factors over time were assessed. Subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism had elevated triacylglycerides but no alterations in basal metabolic rate or other measured cardiovascular risk factors. ΔTSH was positively associated with Δtriacylglycerides, Δtotal-cholesterol and ΔLDL-cholesterol, independently of age, sex, Δbody mass index and ΔT4. In the subclinical hypothyroidism group, 92% of individuals normalised their TSH 0.9-2.9 years later. Children with obesity and subclinical hypothyroidism did not have an altered basal metabolic rate but elevated triacylglycerides. During the follow-up period, TSH changed in parallel with several blood lipids. Elevated TSH often normalised without pharmaceutical intervention within 3 years. The present study found that subclinical hypothyroidism in paediatric obesity is related to elevated triglycerides. The present study found that subclinical hypothyroidism is not associated to basal metabolic rate in paediatric obesity. TSH change over time correlated with the change in triglycerides and LDL and total cholesterol. Among subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism at baseline 92% normalised without pharmaceutical intervention within 3 years. This research adds to the knowledge of the longitudinal, natural course of elevated TSH in paediatric obesity which is expected to help to make informed decisions regarding follow-up and evaluation of this patient group.

Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Children with Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia Patient Attending in A Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: Blood transfusions and iron chelation are standard treatments for β-thalassemia major and Hb E-Beta-Thalassemia. However, repeated transfusions raise body iron levels, leading to secondary hemosiderosis and complications in the heart, endocrine system, and liver. Thyroid dysfunction results from gland infiltration, chronic hypoxia, free radical damage, and iron overload. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of hypothyroidism in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children attending Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Thalassemia Centre, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, from December 2019 to November 2020. The study included 140 children with thalassemia, aged 5 to 16 years, who were receiving blood transfusions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with participant consent. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: In this study, hypothyroidism was observed in 26.2% of patients, with 23.5% having subclinical and 2.9% overt hypothyroidism. In most of the patients (n=85), aged 11-16 years, 58.3% had normal thyroid function, 36.5% had subclinical, and 4.7% had overt hypothyroidism, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Of the 91 patients with hemoglobin levels below 11.5 g/dL, 85.7% had normal thyroid function, 13.2% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 1.1% had overt hypothyroidism, also significant (p<0.05). In the group with ferritin levels of 1200-2000 ng/mL, 78.1% had normal thyroid function, 18.8% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 3.1% had overt hypothyroidism, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism is commonly seen in thalassemia patients aged 5 to 16 years who undergo regular blood transfusions. Regular physical exams and thyroid function assessments are crucial to detect overt hypothyroidism early. Timely hormone replacement can

The Analysis Study of Gender and Risk of Congenital Hypothyroidism : A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism is defined as a deficiency of thyroid hormone at birth and is one of the most common endocrine disorders in newborns. Congenital hypothyroidism, with a prevalence of 1 in 3000-4000 live births, is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation in children. The aim: The aim of this study to show about gender and risk of congenital hypothyroidism. Methods: By the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020, this study was able to show that it met all of the requirements. Result: Eight publications were found to be directly related to our ongoing systematic examination after a rigorous three-level screening approach. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of the complete text was conducted, and additional scrutiny was given to these articles. Conclusion: many risk factors are involved in the development of congenital hypothyroidism in children. It should be noted that the irreversible consequences of this disease for children including mental retardation is one of the cases which to control and remove it. Accordingly, awareness of the birth season could help policymakers who plan preventive programs to reduce the false negative results among neonates, especially girls.

Medication Adherence of Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism in Iran: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common preventable and treatable cause of intellectual disability in children. A key component of the surveillance system for congenital hypothyroidism is ensuring a regular treatment program for affected children. Despite nearly 20 years since the successful implementation of the newborn screening program for hypothyroidism in Iran, a comprehensive evaluation of patients' adherence to treatment has not been conducted. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the adherence to treatment among patients with congenital hypothyroidism in Iran. Methods: In this national cross-sectional study conducted in 2024, the adherence to treatment of 400 children with congenital hypothyroidism born between 2019 and 2023 in Iran was examined using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. The patients were randomly selected from national registry data. Data were analyzed using chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression in Stata software version 16. Results: The mean and standard deviation of medication adherence was 6.35 ± 1.41. Overall, adherence was good (≥ 6) in 284 (71.0%) of the study participants. In the univariate analysis, the most significant factors influencing adherence were place of residence, higher maternal education, lower paternal education, and type of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). In the multivariate analysis, children with permanent CH had good adherence, and parental education was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that medication compliance in more than two-thirds of hypothyroid children diagnosed by national newborn screening is good. Given the importance of treatment in these patients, it is recommended that intervention plans be implemented, including educational programs and active follow-up of patients to increase compliance.

Exploring the Relationship Between Gingivitis and Hypothyroidism in Children

Periodontitis common oral health problem for children, which involves the inflammation of gum tissue. Hypothyroidism, which is a systemic disorder characterized by the decrease in thyroid hormone levels, has its patients suffering from many dysfunctions in the body. In spite of the fact that they apparently belong to distinct spheres, recent research looks suspiciously for a probable correlation between the two diseases, i.e. gingivitis and hypothyroidism. This paper is a comprehensive narrative review that focuses on explaining the unique relationship between these two conditions in children as it relates to the mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic difficulties, and therapeutic approaches. Through the process of literature review syntheses, previously unknown interrelations between hypothyroidism and gingival health are discovered. Therefore, the multidisciplinary approach may be one of the factors that improve the overall condition of the patients with these comorbidities as well as the effectiveness of the treatment due to the partnership through the cooperation between dental and endocrine specialists.

The Effect of Antiseizure Medications on Thyroid Functions in Children With Epilepsy

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of antiseizure medications on serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (fT4) levels, and the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in children with epilepsy. One hundred and eighty-one pediatric patients receiving valproate, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and levetiracetam monotherapy were included. The serum TSH levels were significantly higher at 6th, 12th, and 18th months of the treatment compared with the pre-treatment levels in valproate-treated patients. Serum fT4 levels in carbamazepine group were significantly lower than levetiracetam, valproate, and phenobarbital groups at 12th and 18th months of the treatment. Serum fT4 and TSH levels in levetiracetam group showed no significant changes at any time point. The frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism at 18th month was 16% in valproate, 11% in phenobarbital, 7% in carbamazepine, and 0% in levetiracetam groups. Our data suggest that levetiracetam monotherapy does not cause thyroid dysfunction.

Steroid-responsive encephalopathy in autoimmune thyroiditis in a 2-year-old child after COVID-19 infection: A case report

In pediatric patients, neurological manifestation of COVID-19 infection has been reported in acute and postinfectious stages. Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in children with prevalence being 1.2%. More than 200 cases of HE have been reported in adults. Only 60 cases have been reported in children. We present a case of a 2-year-old girl with status epilepticus and respiratory failure needing prolonged ventilation. Her COVID-19 antibody and antithyroid antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin) were positive. Her thyroid profile was abnormal. Her clinical state improved after receiving an intravenous immunoglobulin and pulse dose of methylprednisolone. This suggests that complete recovery for such patients can be achieved with early detection and immunomodulatory treatment.

Investigation of neopterin levels in children with hashimoto thyroiditis

ABSTRACT Objective: Hashimoto Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease caused by genetic and environmental factors and is known as the most common cause of hypothyroidism in childhood. Neopterin has been measured in many autoimmune disorders and has been identified as a marker of cellular immune activation. The aim of this study was to investigate the autoimmune association of neopterin in patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis aged 5-18 years. Material and Method: Neopterin levels were measured in 80 individuals, 40 of whom were followed up with the diagnosis of Hashimoto Thyroiditis and 40 of whom were not diagnosed with Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Results: While the mean value of neopterin levels in the control group participating in this study was 86.4170 ± 3.59284, the mean value in the patient group was 101.32 ± 9.75378. When we look at the participant age data, it is seen that the patients and controls are compatible with each other (p>0.05). In addition, it is seen that there is a significant positive correlation p

Iodine deficiency hypothyroidism in children in recent years: a re-emerging issue?

Iodine nutrition is a growing issue within the USA due to newer trends of non-iodized salts. There are no recent reviews looking at the current state of iodine deficiency-induced hypothyroidism in children in the USA. We performed a retrospective chart review at our tertiary pediatric endocrine clinic; four met the diagnostic criteria for iodine deficiency defined by a low urine iodine level. We further characterized severity of disease, risk factors, goiter, thyroid labs and antibodies. All cases had significant goiter and were diagnosed within the last 2 years. One case had iodine deficiency due to no iodized salt intake along with concurrent diagnosis of developmental delay and multiple food allergies, while others involved the use of non-iodized salts. Two cases had iodine deficiency along with autoimmunity. It is critical to obtain a dietary history for all patients who present with goiter and/or hypothyroidism. There may be a need to consider reevaluating current preventative measures for iodine deficiency, especially for certain vulnerable populations such as children who do not consume iodized salt. In recent decades, iodine nutrition has become a growing concern due to changing dietary patterns and food manufacturing practices. A dietary history is crucial to obtain in children presenting with hypothyroidism and goiter, especially in children with restrictive diets due to behavioral concerns, developmental delays, or multiple food allergies. Of the 12 different types of salts commercially available, only table salt contains iodine in an appropriate amount; thus, individuals using specialty salts can develop mild to moderate iodine deficiency-related thyroid disease.

Overt hypothyroidism in pregnancy and language development in offspring: is there an association?

PurposeOvert hypothyroidism during pregnancy is linked to various obstetric complications, such as premature birth and fetal death. While some studies have shown that maternal hypothyroidism can impact a child's Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and language development, findings are controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the connection between treated maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopment, focusing on learning and language and examining related maternal obstetric complications.MethodsGroup 1 included 31 hypothyroid women with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (> 10 mU/L, > 10 µIU/mL) during pregnancy, and Group 2 had 21 euthyroid women with normal TSH levels (0.5–2.5 mU/L, 0.5–2.5 µIU/mL). Children underwent neuropsycological assessments using the Griffiths-II scale.ResultsPregnancy outcome showed an average gestational age at delivery of 38.2 weeks for hypothyroid women, compared to 40 weeks for controls, and average birth weight of 2855.6 g versus 3285 g for controls, with hypothyroid women having children with higher intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) prevalence and more caesarean sections. The 1-min APGAR score was lower for the hypothyroid group's children, at 8.85 versus 9.52. Neuropsychological outcomes showed children of hypothyroid mothers scored lower in neurocognitive development, particularly in the learning and language subscale (subscale C), with a notable correlation between higher maternal TSH levels and lower subscale scores.ConclusionFetuses born to hypothyroid mothers appeared to be at higher risk of IUGR and reduced APGAR score at birth. Neurocognitive development seemed to affect language performance more than the developmental quotient. This alteration appeared to correlate with the severity of hypothyroidism and its duration.

Iodine status in children with intestinal failure.

Children on long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) are at high risk of iodine deficiency (ID). However, most available information comes from cross-sectional studies. We investigated the iodine status, associated factors, and prevalence of hypothyroidism in children with intestinal failure (IF) who were followed up longitudinally. This was a cohort study of children with IF monitored for urine iodine concentration (UIC), iodine intake, serum selenium concentration, and thyroid function in an intestinal rehabilitation program. The outcome variable ID was defined as a UIC value < 100 μg/L. Adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to assess the effects of the exposure variables on the UIC. Twenty-four patients aged 62.7 (39.1; 79.7) months who received PN for 46.5 (21.5) months were included. The average energy supply was 81.2 kcal/kg/day, 77.6% of which was provided by PN. An average of 5.2 UIC measurements per patient were performed. ID prevalence decreased from baseline (83.3%) to the last assessment (45.8%). Three patients had hypothyroidism secondary to iodine and selenium combined severe deficiency. Iodine intake from enteral or oral nutritional formulas was positively associated with UIC (β = 0.71 [0.35, 1.07]; p < 0.001). Meeting approximately 80% of the estimated average requirement for iodine from nutritional formulas resulted in a greater probability of normal UIC values. ID is highly prevalent in children with IF who receive long-term PN and its frequency decreases with iodine intake from nutritional formulas. Severe combined iodine and selenium deficiencies are associated with the development of hypothyroidism in these patients.

Emotional and behavioral features associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is particularly frequent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Despite the amount of evidence suggesting SH is associated with psychopathological symptoms and sleep problems in general population, poor is known about the emotional and behavioral features associated with SH in children with DS. The first aim of the current study was to investigate differences in emotional and behavioral profiles between a group of children with DS exhibiting co-occurring SH and a group of age and BMI-matched children with DS without co-occurring SH. The second aim of the present study was to investigate differences in sleep disturbances between these groups. We included in this retrospective study 98 participants with DS aged 3-18 years with the aim to explore differences in emotional/behavioral problems as well as in sleep difficulties between children with DS with or without co-occurring SH. Participants with co-occurring SH exhibited significantly higher scores at several scales of the Conners' Parent Rating Scales Long Version - Revised. However, they did not exhibit more sleep problems than control group. These results provide specific indications for psychological and neuropsychiatric evaluation of children with DS with suspected or diagnosed SH, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in clinical care for children and adolescents with DS.

Incidence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in children treated with [131I]mIBG: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Treatment with [131I]mIBG is commonly used in pediatric metastatic neuroblastoma (NB); however, unbound [131I]I might be taken up by the thyroid, causing hypothyroidism. To prevent this occurrence, thyroid blockade with iodine salts is commonly used; despite this precaution, thyroid dysfunction still occurs. This review and meta-analysis aim to clarify the mean frequency of hypothyroidism in children with NB treated with [131I]mIBG and to investigate the possible causes. The literature was searched for English-language scientific manuscripts describing the incidence of TSH elevation and overt hypothyroidism in children with NB treated with [131I]mIBG. Preclinical studies, small-case series, and reviews were excluded. A proportion meta-analysis was conducted to test the influence of potentially relevant factors (type and duration of thyroid blockade, year of the study, sample size) on the incidence of TSH elevation/overt hypothyroidism. Eleven studies were included. The pooled percentage of TSH elevation was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.27-0.55); the duration of the thyroid blockade (P=0.004) was inversely correlated with the incidence of TSH elevation. Moreover, a TSH increase was more common in patients treated with potassium iodide (KI) alone than in those managed with a multi-drug thyroid blockade (P<0.001). The pooled percentage of children requiring hormone replacement therapy was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.16-0.49). As in the case of TSH elevation, a longer duration of the thyroid blockade (P=0.006) and a multi-pronged approach (P<0.001) were associated with a lower incidence of overt hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism appears to occur frequently in children treated with [131I]mIBG, which should be monitored closely after the radionuclide treatment to start hormone replacement therapy as soon as needed. The duration, as well as the type of thyroid blockade, seem to influence the incidence of hypothyroidism; however, more data from prospective evaluations are needed.

Prepubertal ve Pubertal Hastalarda Hashimoto Tiroiditi’nin Dağılımı, Klinik Özellikleri ve Laboratuvar Bulguları

Aims:Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism in childhood. This disease, which develops on an autoimmune basis, often appears in adolescence. However, in recent years, However, in recent years, cases diagnosed with this disease in prepubertal and infant period have been reported. This is considered to regarding early exposure to environmental factors that disrupt the endocrine system and trigger autoimmunity. We aimed to evaluate the distribution, clinical features, and laboratory findings of our patients diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in our clinic in prepubertal and pubertal periods. Material and Method:In the study, the cases diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Ankara City Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology 5th outpatient clinic between August 2019 and May 2022 were divided into two groups prepubertal (Tanner stage 1) and pubertal (Tanner stage 2-3-4-5). The two groups were compared retrospectively in terms of clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings. Results: The mean±SDS of 134 patients diagnosed with HT was 12.4±3.4 years. While 25% (n:33) of the cases were prepubertal, 75% (n:101) were pubertal. The cases' female/male ratio (F/M) was 4.1/1, F/M: 2.3/1 in the prepubertal period, and F/M: 5.3/1 in the pubertal period. The euthyroid phase was detected most frequently in all cases at diagnosis. While the rate of euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism was the same in the prepubertal group, it was most detected in these two phases. In the pubertal group, it was mostly detected in the euthyroid phase. When we compared the prepubertal and pubertal groups, it was seen that subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism were most common in the prepubertal group. In contrast, subclinical hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism were more common in the pubertal group. Conclusion:In our study, HT is more prevalent in boys at the prepubertal stage than in the pubertal stage. While the patients in the prepubertal period applied in the hypothyroid phase, it was remarkable that the pubertal group had hyperthyroidism in their admissions.

Study of thyroid functions in transfusion dependent thalassemia patients of pediatric age group with reference to serum ferritin level in a tertiary care centre

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine complication in transfusion dependent thalassemia patients. Its prevalence and severity is variable and the natural history is poorly described. The frequency of hypothyroidism in Beta Thalassemia Major (BTM) children ranges from 6 to 30%. To determine the levels of serum TSH and FT4 in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), as well as their relationship to the degree of iron excess indicated by serum ferritin levels. This observational descriptive study was undertaken on 200 patients (5 to15 yrs of age) in the department of Pediatrics in SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India from to after obtaining clearance from institutional ethical committee. Out of total 200 TDT children, 141(70.50%) were euthyroid and 59(29.50%) were hypothyroid. Among hypothyroid children, 9(4.5%) had overt hypothyroidism and 50(25%) children had subclinical hypothyroidism. In children &amp;#60;10 years of age group there was a positive correlation between serum ferritin and rise in serum TSH (p &amp;#60; 0.05, r= .553). The rise in serum ferritin was statistically not significant with fall in serum FT4 (p &amp;#60; 0.05, r= .122). In children &amp;#62;10 years of age group, there was positive correlation between serum TSH and serum ferritin (p &amp;#60; 0.05,r=.845). There was an inverse relation between rise in serum ferritin and fall in serum FT4 (p &amp;#60; 0.05, r= -.406). Hypothyroidism was associated in significant number of transfusion dependent thalassemia patients. Adequate iron chelation therapy to keep serum ferritin level within normal limit and early detection of hypothyroidism preferably below 10 years of age will prevent hypothyroidism and its complications in transfusion dependent thalassemia.

Atypical presentations of primary acquired hypothyroidism – a case series

Primary acquired hypothyroidism in children manifests with a myriad of clinical presentations. Clinical features can be insidious in nature, often under the guise of non-specific presentations to other subspecialties prior to referral to the endocrinologist. Growth failure is a hallmark feature in these children alongside their presenting clinical symptomology which needs to be identified through detailed history, physical examination and analysis of the growth charts. In this case series, we discuss 5 atypical presentations of acquired primary hypothyroidism with multisystemic involvement, including musculoskeletal, hepatobiliary, gynaecological and haematological manifestations. This is of importance as untreated hypothyroidism leads to fatigue, decreased physical activity, suboptimal height gain, disordered puberty and poor neurocognitive development in children with long term detrimental outcomes.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in children, when to treat

Subclinical hypothyroidism in children, when to treat

High-sensitive detection and quantitation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from capillary/fingerstick and venepuncture whole-blood using fluorescence-based rapid lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA)

BackgroundIn the last decade, point of care testing (POCT) such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) were developed for rapid TSH measurement. Most of these TSH-LFIAs are designed for qualitative measurements (i.e., if TSH values > 5, or >15 IU/L) and as screening tests for primary hypothyroidism in children and adults. Serum or plasma, but not venepuncture whole-blood or fingerstick/capillary, are usually used to quantify TSH accurately. Studies on performance evaluation of TSH-LFIAs POCT using venepuncture or fingerstick whole-blood are limited. Additionally, limited studies evaluated the performance and validity of TSH-LFIAs POCT compared to valid and reliable reference methods. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate three different blood withdrawal techniques for evaluating POCT of TSH. AimWe aim to evaluate the performance of a new fluorescence-based LFIA and its Finecare™ fluorescent reader for quantitative measurement of TSH from a fingerstick, venepuncture whole-blood, and serum. Methods102 fingerstick, venepuncture whole-blood, and serum samples (with normal and abnormal TSH values) were analyzed by Finecare™ Rapid Quantitative LFIA test and Roche cobas® e 601 as a reference test. ResultsUsing serum, when compared to cobas® e 601 reference method, Finecare™ showed high sensitivity [90.5 % (69.6–98.8)] and specificity [96.3 % (89.6–99.2)] for diagnosis of thyroid abnormalities (<0.35 or >4.5 mIU/L). The actual test values (mIU/L) of Finecare™ showed excellent agreement (Cohen's Kappa = 0.85) and strong correlation (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001) with cobas® e 601. Using venepuncture whole-blood samples, Finecare™ showed similar results to serum with high sensitivity [95.2 % (76.2–99.9)], specificity [97.5 % (91.4–99.7)], excellent agreement (Cohen's Kappa = 0.91), and very strong correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.0001) with cobas® e 601. These results suggest that Finecare™ can be used for quantitative measurement of TSH using serum or venepuncture whole-blood. These key performance indicators were slightly decreased when fingerstick whole-blood samples were used: sensitivity [85.7 %(63.7–97)], specificity [90.0 %,(81.5–96)], good agreement (Cohen's Kappa = 0.7) and very strong correlation (r = 0.9, p < 0.0001) with cobas® e 601. A subgroup analysis of abnormal TSH samples revealed a strong and significant correlation between the reference, Finecare™ whole-blood (r = 0.692; p = 0.0015), and fingerstick test Finecare™ (r = 0.66; p = 0.0025). A very strong correlation was also observed between cobas® e 601 serum and Finecare™ serum (r = 0.88; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In comparison to the reference assay, our study demonstrates that Finecare™ exhibits high sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and a strong correlation. These findings provide evidence that Finecare™ is a reliable, valid, and accurate point-of-care test for TSH screening and quantitative measurement, especially in non- or small laboratory settings.

Features of achieving compensation of hypothyroisis in pregnant women

BACKGROUND: Hypofunction of the thyroid gland in women at the pre-pregnancy stage and during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of congenital hypothyroidism in children, as a result of which irreversible changes in the nervous system are formed. Despite the mandatory intake of potassium iodide preparations, pregnant women often develop gestational hypothyroidism, which requires the appointment of levothyroxine. Many women have episodic hypofunction of the thyroid gland before pregnancy, associated with various factors. Diagnosed hypothyroidism requires hormonal correction. The recommended dose of levothyroxine calculated by the patient’s weight is not always adequate to achieve TSH targets. In addition, there are pharmacological factors. Levothyroxine sodium preparations differ in bioavailability. The stability of drugs is affected by external factors and the composition of fillers from different manufacturers of drugs.AIM: To assess the dependence of TSH reduction on the method of taking levothyroxine in a population of pregnant women.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Statistical analysis and prospective study was carried out from 2019 to 2021. On the basis of the «Perinatal Center», Tyumen, women’s consultative and diagnostic department. Pregnant women with diagnosed primary subclinical and manifest hypothyroidism in the first trimester of pregnancy (n=76) were selected for cohort observation. All pregnant women were prescribed L-thyroxine Berlin-hemi. Other levothyroxine preparations were not used in order to exclude distortion of the results of the study.RESULTS: Pregnant women with hypothyroidism were divided into two groups according to the method of taking L-thyroxine: oral (n=54) and sublingual (n=22). A month later, TSH normalization was observed in 41 pregnant women in the oral group (76%) and in 22 pregnant women in the sublingual group (100%). Women who did not achieve hypothyroidism compensation were recommended sublingual administration without increasing the dose of L-thyroxine, provided that TSH was no higher than 4.0 mcME / ml. A TSH study a month later showed that all pregnant women achieved compensation. CONCLUSION: Based on the conducted research, it is shown that the more rational administration of levothyroxine sodium preparations is sublingual, since there is a slightly alkaline reaction in the oral cavity, which does not have a destructive effect, like gastric juice.

Molecular investigation of TSHR gene in Bangladeshi congenital hypothyroid patients.

The disorder of thyroid gland development or thyroid dysgenesis accounts for 80-85% of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) cases. Mutations in the TSHR gene are mostly associated with thyroid dysgenesis, and prevent or disrupt normal development of the gland. There is limited data available on the genetic spectrum of congenital hypothyroid children in Bangladesh. Thus, an understanding of the molecular aetiology of thyroid dysgenesis is a prerequisite. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of mutations in the TSHR gene on the small molecule thyrogenic drug-binding site of the protein. We identified two nonsynonymous mutations (p.Ser508Leu, p.Glu727Asp) in the exon 10 of the TSHR gene in 21 patients with dysgenesis by sequencing-based analysis. Later, the TSHR368-764 protein was modeled by the I-TASSER server for wild-type and mutant structures. The model proteins were targeted by thyrogenic drugs, MS437 and MS438 to perceive the effect of mutations. The damaging effect in drug-protein complexes of mutants was explored by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The binding affinity of wild-type protein was much higher than the mutant cases for both of the drug ligands (MS437 and MS438). Molecular dynamics simulates the dynamic behavior of wild-type and mutant complexes. MS437-TSHR368-764MT2 and MS438-TSHR368-764MT1 showed stable conformations in biological environments. Finally, Principle Component Analysis revealed structural and energy profile discrepancies. TSHR368-764MT1 exhibited much more variations than TSHR368-764WT and TSHR368-764MT2, emphasizing a more damaging pattern in TSHR368-764MT1. This genetic study might be helpful to explore the mutational impact on drug binding sites of TSHR protein which is important for future drug design and selection for the treatment of congenital hypothyroid children with dysgenesis.