Abstract
Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison disease, and diabetes mellitus occurs with a greater than normal frequency among patients with Turner syndrome. Most studies demonstrating this have been of patients over 20 years old. Therefore, 20 pediatric patients with Turner syndrome were recalled to obtain subjective and objective data reflecting thyroid function. Thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in serum samples by radioimmunoassay, and the serum antithyroid antibody titer (Thab) obtained by the tanned red cell agglutination method. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in the presence of a decreased T4 and an elevated TSH. Hashimoto thyroiditis was presumed when a hypothyroid patient had an elevated Thab.
Ten patients with Turner syndrome had structural abnormalities of the X chromosome. Three were hypothyroid, four had elevated serum Thab titers, and one had a goiter and low T4 without other evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Ten patients with Turner syndrome did not have structural abnormality of the X chromosome. None of these were hypothyroid, although five were considered to be at risk by virtue of an elevated serum Thab. One of these had a goiter. The Thab titer was elevated in nine of 15 patients over 10 years old, but in only one of five under 10 years. The three hypothyroid patients were over 10 years of age.
Screening of children with Turner syndrome for evidence of thyroid dysfunction is clearly indicated.
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Pai, G., Leach, D., Weiss, L. et al. THYROID ABNORMALITIES IN TWENTY CHILDREN WITH TURNER SYNDROME. Pediatr Res 11, 429 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00362
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00362