Abstract
We have followed 46 patients with juvenile autoimmune thyroiditis for 2.3-12.5 (mean 5.5) years. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a firm goitre with lymphocyte infiltration. A cytological re-evaluation was performed 1.4-12.5 (mean 4.5) years later. Thyroxin replacement, instituted in 29 cases initially, was later discontinued in 27. It had to be restarted in 14 cases; the others remain off medication already for 0.6-4.2 (mean 1.2) years. Initially, 27 patients were euthyroid, 13 subclinically hypothyroid, and 8 hypothyroid. Finally, 26 patients were euthyroid, 13 subclinically hypothyroid, and 8 hypothyroid, but an extensive exchange of individual patients had taken place between the groups. Thyroid size had remained unchanged in 14 patients, had decreased in 23 and increased in 9 patients. Cytologically, all glands remained virtually unaltered. At the end of follow-up circulating antithyroglobulin antibodies (PH method) were present in high titres in 30% and absent in 30% of the patients. Circulating antimicrosomal antibodies were present in high titres in 46% (CF) or 58% (PH) and absent in 37% (CF) or 13% (PH). High serum levels of IgG were found initially and high levels of IgM at the end of the follow-up.
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Mäenpää, J., Raatikka, M., Taskinen, E. et al. Natural history of juvenile autoimmune thyroiditis. Pediatr Res 15, 1555 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00118
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00118