Thyroid antibodies in children of mothers with auto-immune thyroid disease

Citation
R. Heithorn et al., Thyroid antibodies in children of mothers with auto-immune thyroid disease, EUR J PED, 158(1), 1999, pp. 24-28
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics,"Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
ISSN journal
03406199 → ACNP
Volume
158
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
24 - 28
Database
ISI
SICI code
0340-6199(199901)158:1<24:TAICOM>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
In a cross-sectional study, 29 children aged between 1 month and 15.3 years (average age 6.8 years) born to mothers with Graves disease or Hashimoto t hyroiditis were examined clinically, biochemically, and by sonography of th e thyroid gland. At the time of examination all children were clinically eu thyroid. Tests of thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroglobulin antibody, TSH receptor antibody and free thyroxine (fT(4)) gave normal results. In 3 chil dren subclinical hypothyroidism with elevated TSH and normal fT4 concentrat ions were found: one of these children had a minor decrease of total thyrox ine. Three children with otherwise normal test results had marginally eleva ted triiodothyronine concentrations. Increased antibody titres were present in 8 out of 29 children. TSH function-blocking antibodies were elevated in 8 cases. In addition, cytotoxic antibodies were found in one of the childr en. The distribution pattern of antibodies was different in each child and unrelated to the type of maternal thyroid disease. Conclusion Children of mothers with auto-immune thyroid disease often have thyroid antibodies without signs of thyroid disease. Whether antibody-posit ive children have an increased risk of developing thyroid disorders later i n life must be examined in a longitudinal study.