STEROID-RESISTANT CHRONIC URTICARIA ASSOCIATED WITH ANTITHYROID MICROSOMAL ANTIBODIES IN A 9-YEAR-OLD BOY

The case of a 9-year-old boy with severe chronic urticaria of 6 months ' duration is described. The urticaria was associated with intractable bronchospasm and abdominal cramping and was unresponsive to antihista mines and high doses of corticosteroids. Even though the child was eut hyroid, he was treated with thyroid hormone after the presence of anti -thyroid microsomal antibodies was documented, Within 1 month the pati ent demonstrated full remission, He remained free of symptoms for 9 mo nths after discontinuation of treatment, After a relapse he again resp onded to thyroid hormone therapy, Children with chronic, intractable u rticaria and documented evidence of anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies may benefit from treatment with thyroid hormone.