Torun, Emel Bezmialem Vakıf University - Medical Faculty - Department of Pediatrics, Turkey , Cindemir, Ergül Bezmialem Vakıf University - Medical Faculty - Department of Pediatrics, Turkey , Özgen, İlker Tolga Bezmialem Vakıf University - Medical Faculty - Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Turkey , Öktem, Faruk Bezmiâlem Vakıf Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Turkey

Subclinical hypothyroidism in obese children

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Objective: Thyroid functions in obese children and adolescents were evaluated in order to determine subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: In this study, 85 obese (Body mass index 97th percentile) children, aged 2-14 years, as well as 47 healthy controls were enrolled. Levels of serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of the two groups were compared. Obese children with TSH level above 5.4 IU/ml were also analyzed for thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid ultrasounds were performed. Results: Obese children showed higher serum concentrations of TSH and fT3 than the controls but no significant difference in serum fT4 levels was found between the two groups (P=0.001). One child had high auto antibodies and 32 had high TSH levels. Of 28 children with TSH 5,4 IU/ml, 25 children had normal thyroid ultrasound findings and three had nodules or thyroiditis but no enlargement of the thyroid gland. Conclusion: TSH and fT3 levels were found to be higher in obese children compared with non-obese children with no difference of fT4 levels between two groups.

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Body mass index , obesity , thyroid functions

Dicle Medical Journal

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