Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism in children is marked by
overproduction and secretion of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4),
manufactured in the thyroid gland.
The effects of hyperactive
thyroid are somewhat different than they are for adults, but not as
severe. Most all children with Graves disease, or hyperthyroidism, have
swollen thyroid glands, or goiters, as well as Graves' ophthalmopathy,
or bulging eyes.
Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO): Is a condition that
impacts the eye muscles that rotate the eyeball. An immune response is
triggered, causing activation of white blood cells (WBC), resulting in
inflammation and periorbital edema. The swollen eye muscles force the
eyeball to bulge out, causing difficulty in closing the eyelids
completely. This results in irritation and dryness of the eyes and
corneal abrasions, as well as vision difficulties.
Treatment:
Children with hyperthyroidism are treated with an antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or complete thyroid removal. In any event, patients are monitored for the rest of their lives. Antithyroid medication therapy is recommended in looking forward remission of Graves' disease, and discontinuation of thyroid medication.
Children with hyperthyroidism are treated with an antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or complete thyroid removal. In any event, patients are monitored for the rest of their lives. Antithyroid medication therapy is recommended in looking forward remission of Graves' disease, and discontinuation of thyroid medication.
Antithyroid drugs offer possibility of permanent remission.
Radioiodine is a permanent cure for hyperthyroidism, which causes hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid replacement.
Surgery,
or removal of the thyroid may be the best option for fast method of
resolving hyperactive thyroid and prevents the risks involved with
exposure to radiation.
Hyperthyroidism In Infants:
This condition is rare, but life threatening for infants. Women who are currently undergoing treatment, or who have a history of hyperactive thyroid and have elevated titers of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), risk fetal death or premature birth due to the antibody's ability to cross the placenta. In children and adolescents, Graves' disease is the usual cause of hyperthyroidism.
This condition is rare, but life threatening for infants. Women who are currently undergoing treatment, or who have a history of hyperactive thyroid and have elevated titers of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), risk fetal death or premature birth due to the antibody's ability to cross the placenta. In children and adolescents, Graves' disease is the usual cause of hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms:
Irritability
Feeding problems
High blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
Goiter
frontal bossing (prominent forehead)
Microcephaly (an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain)
Failure to thrive - poor weight gain and physical growth failure over an extended period of time in infancy.
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Irritability
Feeding problems
High blood pressure
Rapid heart rate
Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
Goiter
frontal bossing (prominent forehead)
Microcephaly (an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain)
Failure to thrive - poor weight gain and physical growth failure over an extended period of time in infancy.
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Infants with hyperactive thyroid usually recover
within six months. Hyperthyroidism that continues can cause the cranial
sutures to permanently fuse too early in development, impaired
intellect, growth failure, short stature, and hyperactivity. Acquired
Graves' disease is marked by goiter, thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm), and
infiltrative ophthalmopathy (resembles exophthalmos). Diagnosis is
achieved through thyroid function tests.
Graves' disease, or
hyperactive thyroid in infants is normally temporary due to the the
infant's ability to cast off the antibodies after they are born,
however, Graves' disease is the primary cause of hyperactive thyroid in
infants and children.
Infants are given an antithyroid medication,
such as propylthiouracil. Treatment is watched very closely and
discontinued as soon as the disease has been resolved. Treatment for
children and adolescents is very much the same as it is for adults.
If
you have a child who is showing signs and symptoms of thyroid disease,
consult your health care professional as soon as possible. A delay in
treatment can lead to unwanted complications and cause needless
suffering of a child who depends on you for their safety and well being.
