Xie H, Chen D, Gu W, Li W, Wang X, Tang W. Thyroid function screening and follow-up of children with abdominal distension in Nanjing, China: a cross-sectional study.
BMJ Open 2023;
13:e070416. [PMID:
36697039 PMCID:
PMC9884940 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070416]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the thyroid function test among children with abdominal distention and to follow up the treatment received by children with abnormal thyroid function.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
A total of 1089 children (median age:30 days (IQR=21-60 days) with abdominal distension were included in this single centre study in Nanjing, China.
RESULT
Thyroid dysfunction was found in 43 of 148 Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) cases, with 3 (2.03%) having hypothyroidism, 3 (2.03%) having subclinical hypothyroidism and 3 (2.03%) having subclinical hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction was found in 206 of 941 functional abdominal distension cases, with 4 (0.43%) having hypothyroidism, 23 (2.4%) having subclinical hypothyroidism, 28 (2.9%) having subclinical hyperthyroidism and 1 (0.11%) having hyperthyroidism. Among total 65 cases (9 from HSCR, 56 from functional abdominal distension) diagnosed with thyroid diseases, 12 were treated with levothyroxine (LT-4), of which 9 were discontinued treatment at about 2 years old, and 3 were still receiving LT-4. Thirty-two cases received no treatment and thyroid function returned to normal in about 1 month. Twenty-one cases were lost during the follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The paediatrician should be vigilant for hypothyroidism when dealing with children with abdominal distension. Thyroid function should be followed up rather than simply administering a short-term levothyroxine treatment.
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