Hyperthyroidism
This is the medical term which refers to the excessive secretion of thyroid
hormones. It is also called Thyrotoxicosis and Graves’ Disease.
This hypersecretory state maybe could due to an autoimmunologic basis. Though, relatively rare in children, majority of cases occur after the age of 10.
So what do we see clinically in children with hyperthyroidism? Clinical manifestations may include the following:
– excessive motor activity
– signs of emotional instability
– signs of not being able to sit still as patient may keep toying with his fingers, buttoning and unbuttoning his clothing, walking and jumping around
– tremulousness which can only be appreciated on close examination
– palpitations
– difficulty in breathing
– eye signs that may include exophthalmos, inability to converge, lid lag, retraction of upper eyelid and infrequent blinking
– inability to wrinkle forehead on looking upward
– increased sweating
– voracious appetite
– loss of weight
– accelerated growth and development with advanced bone age
Children showing these symptoms are referred to a pediatric endocrinologists when available and screening through laboratories is done so that appropriate medical therapy can be started.