Hyperthyroidism in Children
Hyperthyroidism in children is caused by an overactive thyroid gland, which is seen only occasionally in newborns. This condition is referred to as neonatal hyperthyroidism.
In case the mother is suffering from Graves' disease, the thyroid-stimulating antibodies present in her blood can cross the placenta and stimulate the unborn child's thyroid gland, thus producing too much thyroid hormone. No treatment may be necessary as the antibodies will be flushed out from the baby's bloodstream within a couple of months.
Hyperthyroidism in Children
It may happen, though rarely, that the levels of the stimulating antibodies are high enough to cause severe thyrotoxicosis. This is the beginning of hyperthyroidism in children and treatment with antithyroid medicines must be started at once.
One of the commonest causes of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents is Graves' disease. In Graves' disease, the body's immune system produces antibodies that over stimulate the thyroid gland , causing it to produce more quantities of the thyroid hormones than are required for the correct functioning of the body.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children mimic those in adults but since children are less likely to complain about them, they may remain undetected for longer periods of time.
One of the first symptoms signaling hyperthyroidism in children is the child's hyperactivity (increased energy levels) which may also be manifested as noisier and inattentive behavior in school. It is in the advanced stages that hyperthyroidism in children may be detected through marked symptoms like an enlarged thyroid gland, a fast pulse, nervous behavior, intolerance of heat, loss of weight , accelerated growth rate, tremor in the hands, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and disturbances to the sleep patterns.
If hyperthyroidism in children is suspected, a blood test is performed and the levels of thyroxine (also known as T4 or L-tetraiodothyronine), triiodotyronine (T3) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) (also known as thyrotropin) are measured. If th levels are out of the normal range,then appropriate treatment is immediately commenced .
Treatment of hyperthyroidism in children engenders the use of antithyroid drugs, like propylthiouracil (PTU) or carbimazole. In some cases, these drugs alone mitigate the condition and no further treatment is indicated.
For some more severe cases, a regime involving the use of antithyroid drugs plus thyroxine may be necessary. In very severe cases, surgery or irradiation with radioactive Iodine-131radioactive iodine may be necessary.
