Thyroid function in young children with Down syndrome
A. T. Cutler, R. Benezra-Obeiter and S. J. Brink
A retrospective review of thyroid function tests (TFTs) was performed on 49
young children (aged 4 months to 3 years) with Down syndrome compared with
age-matched controls screened for hypothyroidism because of developmental
delay or failure to thrive. Three of the 49 children with Down syndrome had
congenital hypothyroidism; of the three, one had Hirschsprung's disease and
two had duodenal atresia. Thyroiditis was uncommon, with only two children
having thyroid antibodies present: one had acquired hypothyroidism and the
other acquired hyperthyroidism. Twenty-seven percent of the Down syndrome
cohort had mildly increased thyrotropin (TSH) and normal thyroxine levels.
When compared with children with Down syndrome who had normal TFTs, no
significant differences in sex, growth rate, maternal age, associated
anomalies, developmental or specific thyroid symptoms were present.
Transient elevations of TSH level were common in children with Down
syndrome whether or not TSH values were initially normal or elevated.
Routine neonatal and sequential thyroid screening in young children with
Down syndrome is warranted.
