Publication: Thyroid dysfunction in Down syndrome
Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Background: Down syndrome is associated with various forms of thyroid dysfunction, hypothyroidism being the
most common. The additive effects of both co-morbid conditions lead to further amplification of the clinical
problems in these children with Down syndrome.
Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to know the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Down
Syndrome children below the age of 14 years and to correlate the features of Down Syndrome with those of thyroid
dysfunction.
Methods: In all 32 Down syndrome children were grouped as euthyroid, compensated and uncompensated
hypothyroidism on the basis of their T3, T4 and TSH levels and the features of were compared using the student’s t-
test.
Results: Hypothyroidism was seen in 5 out of 32 cases (15.6%) of which 1 (3.1%) had uncompensated while the
other 4 (12.5%) had a compensated hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism was not observed in any of the cases. The
prevalence of hypothyroidism of 16.7% on the age group 0 –1 year could well be a reflection of congenital
hypothyroidism while 20% prevalence in the age group 9 – 12 could imply acquired hypothyroidism. The mean
values of the developmental quotient (D.Q.) and the Rao’s index in Down syndrome cases with hypothyroidism was
49 ±5.1 and 0.15 ± 0.06 respectively while that of euthyroid Down syndrome patients were 52 ± 5.54 and 0.17 ±
0.04 respectively (‘p’ value > 0.05), the differences though obvious yet not statistically significant.
Conclusion: It thus seems necessary to screen all Down syndrome children for thyroid dysfunction.
Key words: Down syndrome, hypothyroidism