Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Prevalence and aetiology of hypothyroidism in the young
  1. Ian Huntera,
  2. Stephen A Greenea,
  3. Thomas M MacDonaldb,
  4. Andrew D Morrisb
  1. aDepartment of Child Health, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK, bMedicines Monitoring Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School
  1. Dr Hunter email: i.hunter{at}dundee.ac.uk

Abstract

AIMS To define the prevalence of hypothyroid disease in children and young people, and describe its aetiology.

METHODS We identified all patients on the Medicines Monitoring Unit (MEMO) database in the Tayside region of Scotland who had received two or more prescriptions for thyroxine during the study period (January 1993 to December 1995). Using this as a surrogate marker of hypothyroidism, we calculated the prevalence of hypothyroidism in those aged less than 22 years. Main outcome measures were prevalence of thyroxine prescription, estimated prevalence of hypothyroidism, and aetiology of the hypothyroidism (determined from case records, and biochemistry and immunology databases).

RESULTS Of 103 500 residents aged less than 22 years, 140 were identified as receiving thyroxine on prescription, giving a population prevalence of 0.135%. The ratio of male to female was 1:2.8. Acquired hypothyroidism was the commonest aetiology found in 73%, 66% of which had an autoimmune basis. The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism was 0.027%. Seven had received treatment for malignancy (two primary thyroid). Fifteen per cent of patients had no record of secondary care follow up in Tayside.

CONCLUSIONS The overall prevalence of hypothyroidism in young people less than 22 years of age is 0.135%, and in the group aged 11–18 years it is 0.113%; these values are at least twice those of previous estimates. This suggests an increase in autoimmune thyroid disease, similar to the rising prevalence of type 1 diabetes, possibly indicating a rising incidence of autoimmunity in young people.

  • hypothyroidism
  • prevalence
  • young people

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.