THYROID AUTOANTIBODIES - HIGH PREVALENCE AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN GIZAN, SAUDI-ARABIA

Objective: To study the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies among sch oolchildren and adolescents in Gizan, Saudi Arabia. Design: Prospectiv e, field study. Setting: Primary, intermediate and secondary schools i n Gizan, Saudi Arabia. Subjects: Schoolchildren and adolescents in Giz an schools. Measures: Antithyroid antibodies (antithyroglobulin and an timicrosomal) were tested in Gizan schoolchildren and adolescents usin g the haemagglutination method. Results: We tested 1136 students (694 males and 442 females). Positive antithyroglobulin antibodies were obt ained in 81 students (7.1%) while 162 students (14.3%) had positive an timicrosomal antibodies. Antithyroglobulin antibodies were positive in 2.7% of male subjects and 14% of female subjects. Antimicrosomal anti bodies were detected in 9.6% of males and 21.5% of females. None of th e students had biochemical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Thyroid autoant ibodies occur with high frequency among schoolchildren and adolescents in Gizan. Genetic, and environmental factors as well as consanguineou s marriages are suggested as possible factors for this high frequency.