Effect of thyroxine on initial catch-up growth in children with hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies seen in children and adolescents. Primary hypothyroidism occurs due to deficient functioning of the thyroid gland and manifests as congenital or acquired hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones are necessary for early brain development, somatic growth, bone and pubertal maturation. They have a profound direct stimulatory effect on bone growth and skeletal maturation. Beyond the age of 3 years, when thyroid hormone dependent brain development is completed, the effects of thyroid deprivation is more evident on physical growth, metabolic functions and skeletal maturation, with less impairment of intellectual functions. Hypothyroidism in childhood is almost invariably associated with growth failure and short stature may be the presenting feature. Failure of growth is caused by a decrease in the direct effect of thyroid hormones on skeletal growth and by a secondary reduction in growth hormone secretion and concentration of IGF-1 and other growth factors. ABSTRACT