Autoimmune thyroid disease in children with diabetes and adolescents: A single center study from south Punjab.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children with diabetes.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2019 at the Children Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan, and comprised paediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus patients of both genders. Blood samples were obtained for detailed testing of thyroid functions tests. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOf the 161 paediatric subjects, 83(51.6%) were boys. The overall mean age was 9.7±4.3 years. Thyroid peroxidase antibody was positive in 34(21.1%) patients and thyroglobulin antibody in 27(16.7%). Both antibodies were positive in 17(10.5%) patients. Six (3.7%) patients had evidence of subclinical hypothyroidism, 8(4.9%) had overt hypothyroidism and 1(0.62%) had hyperthyroidism.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus was 21%, with hypothyroidism being more prevalent compared to hyperthyroidism.