• Ming-Yu Liu, Cheng-Ting Lee, Ni-Chung Lee, Yi-Ching Tung, Yin-Hsiu Chien, Wuh-Liang Hwu, and Wen-Yu Tsai.
• Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2020 Jan 1; 119 (1 Pt 2): 345-349.

Background/PurposeThyroid disorders are common in children with Down syndrome (DS), however, such data have rarely been reported in Taiwanese children. This study presents our experience with the management of these children.MethodsBetween 2006 and 2016, 51 children (31 boys and 20 girls) with DS were enrolled. Thyroid function was evaluated and natural course of thyroid status were analyzed.ResultsOf 51 patients with DS, 2 had congenital hypothyroidism due to dyshormonogenesis. Of the remaining 49 patients, 30 (61%) had euthyroidism (EuT), and 19 (39%) had subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). Eighteen (37%) had detectable thyroid antibodies. It occurred at any age and the incidence was not affected by sex. The mean follow-up duration for 39 DS children was 3.8 ± 2.4 years. Of the 26 children who had EuT at enrollment and were followed up, 22 remained EuT, 2 developed SH, 1 developed overt hypothyroidism, and 1 developed overt hyperthyroidism. Of the 13 patients with SH who were followed up, 1 was treated for high thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, 8 became EuT, and 4 maintained SH status. Children with DS and persistent SH had significantly higher maximum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels during follow-up than did those with transient SH. Fluctuation in thyroid status during follow-up was not uncommon in children with DS.ConclusionThe prevalence of thyroid disorders is higher in Taiwanese children with DS than in the general population. Because symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap those inherent to DS, regular follow-up of thyroid function in children with DS is indicated.Copyright © 2019 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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