Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism in children is marked by overproduction and secretion of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), manufactured in the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism or Graves Disease as it is called in children is displayed with symptoms such as goiters, swollen thyroid glands and a bulging of the eyes or Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
GO or Graves’ ophthalmopathy is an immune response triggered by the over active thyroid that results in the inability to completely close the eyes. This reaction then results in dryness and irritation of the eyes, corneal abrasions and visual difficulties.
Treatment of Hyperthyroidism:
Children with hyperthyroidism are treated with several options including antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or complete thyroid removal. In those who are given medication, they can look forward to remission of Graves Disease as well as eventual discontinuation of thyroid medication. However, every child diagnosed with hyperthyroidism can expect to be monitored for the rest of their lives whether in remission or cured.
Permanent remission is the possibility of Antithyroid medications.
Radioiodine is a permanent cure for hyperthyroidism, which causes hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid replacement.
The last treatment option is surgery to remove the thyroid. This option is probably the most optimal as it alleviates the risk factors from exposure to radiation.
Hyperthyroidism In Infants:
Hyperthyroidism is life threatening and fatal in infants. Women who are pregnant and have been diagnosed with hyperactive thyroid run the risk of fetal death or premature birth as the antibody’s have the ability to cross the placenta. As a result, Graves Disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in infants and adolescents.
Symptoms:
Irritability Feeding problems High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) Goiter frontal bossing (prominent forehead) Microcephaly (an abnormally small head and underdeveloped brain) Failure to thrive – poor weight gain and physical growth failure over an extended period of time in infancy. Vomiting Diarrhea
Typically, infants with hyperthyroidism recover within six months. Those that take longer, risk the cranial sutures to close to fast. This event can result in impaired intellect, growth failure, short stature, and hyperactivity. If the infant acquires Graves Disease, they will exhibit goiter, thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm), and infiltrative ophthalmopathy (resembles exophthalmos). In order to diagnose this, medical professionals will perform thyroid functionality tests.
Graves’ disease, or hyperactive thyroid in infants is normally temporary due to the infant’s ability to cast off the antibodies after they are born, however, Graves’ disease is the primary cause of hyperactive thyroid in infants and children.
Infants are given an antithyroid medication, such as propylthiouracil. Treatment is watched very closely and discontinued as soon as the disease has been resolved. Treatment for children and adolescents is very much the same as it is for adults.
Anyone who believes their child is exhibiting signs of hyperthyroidism should seek the assistance of a medical professional as soon as possible. Delays in treatment can result in the needless suffering of the child as well as added complications.
Barb Hicks is a registered nurse and highly regarded writer who loves to share her knowledge. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she contributes more lessons about Low Thyroid Level Causes and Thyroid Cancer Symptoms .
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
