Thyroid Problems in Children

Alice was a restless child, by the time she entered 5th grade. She could never pay attention in class and was a very nervous, fidgety child. Her teacher who knew Alice, thought her behavior was quite strange. She called over her mother asked her to see a child's specialist for some advice. Alice's mom too noticed some changes in her daughter, whose appetite had grown leaps and bounds, but her child did not gain even an ounce. The doctor carried out certain tests and found out Alice had a condition. This condition was related to thyroid problems in children.

The term thyroid does ring a bell, doesn't it? You must be aware of the butterfly shaped gland located in the throat. It secretes thyroid hormones that control the body's metabolism and energy production. It is also a very important hormone for the growth and development of children. Thyroid problems in children can lead to a number of health problems, if not caught and treated early. The following paragraphs will discuss some information related to the causes, symptoms and treatment of thyroid problems in children.

Types of Thyroid Problems in Children

Thyroid problems in children occur when there is a malfunction in the thyroid gland. There are two types of thyroid problems, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive and secretes more than required thyroid levels. Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland in under active and does not release the normal level of hormones into the blood stream. There are different conditions of hyperthyroidism as well as hypothyroidism in children. Let us see these conditions in short in the following paragraphs.

Conditions Related to Hyperthyroidism
Over production or hyperthyroidism will lead to a number of symptoms of thyroid problems in children. Some of the conditions associated with hyperthyroidism are as follows:

Neonatal Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid gland in newborns is called hyperthyroidism in newborns. This condition occurs very rarely, especially if the mother is affected with Grave's disease. The symptoms of thyroid problems in newborns are similar to those in adults, like high heart rare, irritability, flushed skin, increase in appetite and failure to gain weight. Anti-thyroid treatment for a short-term will be successful in treatment of neonatal hyperthyroidism.

Graves' Disease
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. The body produces antibodies that have the ability to stimulate the thyroid gland. This leads to production of too much hormone and development of hyperthyroidism. The symptoms of such thyroid problems in children include hyperactivity, restlessness, short attention span, poor academic performance, etc. An enlarged thyroid gland with fast pulse, heat intolerance, weight loss, accelerated growth, muscle weakness, diarrhea, sleep disorders and behavioral problems are also the other Graves' disease symptoms.

Conditions Related to Hypothyroidism
Under production of thyroid hormones, or hypothyroidism has a set off its own health complications in children. The following conditions are associated with low thyroid function symptoms in children.

Congenital Hypothyroidism
There is 1 new-born baby in 4000 live births that suffers from congenital hypothyroidism. This is due to thyroid glands that do not develop normally. In some infants, the thyroid gland is absent totally leading to congenital hypothyroidism or cretinism. The symptoms include poor feeding, constipation, low body temperature, slow pulse, prolonged jaundice, decreased crying, increase in sleep periods, etc. As the baby develops over a few weeks, he shows dry skin, poor muscle tone, slow tendon reflexes, hoarse crying, enlarged tongue, puffiness, umbilical hernia, poor growth and development. Treatment involves hormone replacement therapy. However, the child may have already developed a permanent brain damage, especially if it is a case of thyroid problems in children with down syndrome.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in children and adolescents. This condition can occur at any age and the symptoms may take years to develop. The initial symptoms include delay in skeletal development, inflammation of thyroid gland, dry itchy skin, cold sensitivity, weight gain, swelling, poor concentration, constipation and low energy levels. These children require hormone replacement therapy for life.

Causes of Thyroid Problems in Children

As you must have seen in the above paragraphs, thyroid problems in children is not something that occurs due to an infection or by eating something wrong. This condition is usually inherited, especially when a parent or grandparent or a close relative suffers from thyroid problems. An infant can be born without a thyroid gland or with an underdeveloped thyroid gland. Many times, the thyroid gland in infants and children, in spite of being fully developed, is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency is also one of the causes of thyroid problems in children. Iodine is added to kitchen salt by manufacturers, therefore, children in United States rarely have thyroid problems due to iodine deficiency.

Symptoms of Thyroid Problems in Children

The symptoms of thyroid problems in children differ according to the type of thyroid disorder. This means children with hyperthyroidism will exhibit different symptoms as compared to children with hypothyroidism. Let us look at the various symptoms of thyroid problems in children according to the type of thyroid condition.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Children

• Cold hands, arms, feet and legs
• Constipation
• Goiter
• Dry skin
• Floppy muscles or no strength
• Herniated belly button
• Hoarse cry
• Lethargic
• Little to no growth
• Weight gain
• Pale skin color
• Persistent constipation and bloating
• Poor feeding
• Prolonged jaundice
• Puffy face
• Sensitivity to cold
• Slow growth
• Sluggishness
• Swollen tongue

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Children

• Development of a goiter
• Excessive fatigue
• Hair loss
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia and restlessness
• Irregular menstrual periods or lack of menstrual periods (in case of adolescent girls)
• Mood swings
• Huge appetite
• Shaky hands
• Trouble concentrating

Treatment of Thyroid Problems in Children

The treatment of thyroid problems in children is done according to the type of condition. In case the child suffers from symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the doctor may decide on medications that help control the thyroid production. If this therapy does not show any improvement after 2 years of regularly taking the medication, the doctor may decide on a different treatment of thyroid problems. This involves prescribing drugs that destroy thyroid gland or it may also require surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is easier to manage and control. With proper treatment, most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism disappear in many children.

This was some information related to thyroid problems in children. It is very important to get a new-born checked for hyperthyroidism, if there is a history of thyroid problems in the family. A bit of care and a little bit of alertness from the parent's side, will help in successful treatment of thyroid problems in children. Hope this article has helped you get some valuable information on thyroid conditions affecting children.