Thyroid disorders in childhood and adolescence

Key words: Congenital hypothyroidism, Autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, Thyroid nodules

Thyroid diseases are the most common endocrinopathies in childhood and adolescence. Congenital hypothyroidism affects infants from birth. The neurocognitive outcome of these patients has been much improved with the newborn screening programmes. Autoimmune thyroiditis is characterized by a wide spectrum of thyroid dysfunctions, ranging from euthyroidism to overt hypothyroidism, with a variable clinical course in childhood. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of paediatric hyperthyroidism. To date, its optimal treatment remains a matter of debate. Thyroid nodules in childhood and adolescence are rare, but they are more often malignant compared with those observed in adulthood.