PERICARDIAL-EFFUSION AS A SIGN OF ACQUIRED HYPOTHYROIDISM IN CHILDRENWITH DOWN-SYNDROME

In three children with Down syndrome and acquired hypothyroidism echoc ardiography was performed before and after the start of L-thyroxine tr eatment. Initial studies revealed pericardial effusions which resolved during treatment suggesting that they were caused by hypothyroidism. The incidence of hypothyroidism in Down syndrome is high, but the diag nosis is often missed for lack of specific clinical criteria. The find ing of pericardial effusion by echocardiography may be essential in di scovering thyroid dysfunction. The cases illustrate that regular thyro id function tests are important in Down syndrome.