Overview of Thyroid Disease in Children and Adolescents

Thyroid disorders in children may be congenital or acquired. Given the important role of thyroid hormone in early brain development, and for growth and development throughout childhood, timely recognition and treatment of thyroid disease is essential, especially in the first 3 years of life, when untreated, hypothyroidism may result in permanent intellectual and motor disabilities. In the late 1970s, neonatal screening programs were introduced to facilitate early diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism. These programs have proven to be highly effective in early detection of congenital hypothyroidism, enabling early treatment and thereby preventing developmental disability. Diagnosis of acquired thyroid disorders in children is often delayed because of lack of specific symptoms. This chapter provides an overview of congenital and acquired thyroid disorders in children and adolescents, focusing on etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment.