Cited by 237Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsThyroid Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Thyroid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Review

Hanley, Patrick, Lord, Katherine, Bauer, Andrew J.·2016·JAMA Pediatrics

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Normal thyroid gland function is critical for early neurocognitive development, as well as for growth and development throughout childhood and adolescence. Thyroid disorders are common, and attention to physical examination findings, combined with selected laboratory and radiologic tools, aids in the early diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To provide a practical review of the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of thyroid disorders commonly encountered in a primary care practice. EVIDENCE REVIEW: We performed a literature review using the PubMed database. Results focused on reviews and articles published from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2015. Articles published earlier than 2010 were included when appropriate for historical perspective. Our review emphasized evidence-based management practices for the clinician, as well as consensus statements and guidelines. A total of 479 articles for critical review were selected based on their relevance to the incidence, pathophysiology, laboratory evaluation, radiological assessment, and treatment of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer in children and adolescents. Eighty-three publications were selected for inclusion in this article based on their relevance to these topics. FINDINGS: The primary care physician is often the first health care professional responsible for initiating the evaluation of a thyroid disorder in children and adolescents. Patients may be referred secondary to an abnormal newborn screening, self-referred after a caregiver raises concern, or identified to be at risk of a thyroid disorder based on findings from a routine well-child visit. Irrespective of the path of referral, knowledge of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules, as well as the general approach to evaluation and management, will help the primary care physician complete an initial assessment and determine which patients would benefit from referral to a pediatric endocrinologist. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Early identification and treatment of thyroid disease in children and adolescents is critical to optimize growth and development. The primary care physician plays a critical role in identifying patients at risk. An understanding of risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, and interpretation of screening laboratories ensures an efficient and accurate diagnosis of these common disorders. Regular communication between the primary care physician and the subspecialist is critical to optimize outcome because the majority of patients with thyroid disorders will require long-term to lifelong medical therapy and/or surveillance.

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Crossref · 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0486

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  • The proposed mechanism for disproportionately high TSH in central hypothyroidism involves abnormal glycosylation of the TSH alpha and beta subunits, rendering the secreted TSH biologically inactive.

    “The proposed mechanism for disproportionately high TSH in central hypothyroidism involves abnormal glycosylation of the TSH alpha and beta subunits, rendering the secreted TSH biologically inactive [55,56].”

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Authors
Hanley, P., Lord, K., & Bauer, A. J.
Affiliations
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US)
Venue
JAMA Pediatrics
Published
2016-10-01
Volume
170
Issue
10
Pages
1008
ISSN
  • 1072-4710 (ISSN-L)
  • 2168-6203
OpenAlex
W2513045449
Cited by
237
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1
FWCI
9.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
thyroid dysfunction, children, adolescents, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, primary care, newborn screening, thyroid function tests, growth and development, neurocognitive development
MeSH terms
Child Health, Adolescent Health, Adolescent, Child, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Female, Goiter, Endemic, Humans, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Male, Risk Factors, Thyroid Diseases, Thyroid Function Tests, Thyroid Neoplasms, Thyroiditis, Autoimmune

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