ISSN: 2319-9865

All submissions of the EM system will be redirected to Online Manuscript Submission System. Authors are requested to submit articles directly to Online Manuscript Submission System of respective journal.

Research Article Open Access

Clinical Presentations of Congenital Hypothyroidism and Associated Abnormalities in Children Treated at Western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the various clinical presentations of and abnormalities associated with congenital hypothyroidism among children diagnosed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Western Region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of congenital hypothyroidism and associated abnormalities was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from January 2010 to January 2015 and included 173 children aged 0 to 12 months. Data were obtained by reviewing KAUH medical records and laboratory results via the hospital’s electronic “Phoenix” system. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 173 diagnosed cases, primary hypothyroidism was most common (95% of cases), while secondary hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 5% of cases. Of all cases diagnosed via the neonatal screening program, 57% were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis and 43% were symptomatic. Prolonged jaundice (79%) was the most common clinical presentation. Other signs were constipation (7%), hypotonia (6%), goiter (4%), macroglossia (3%), and facial puffiness (1%). Associated congenital anomalies were found in 13% of cases. Conclusion: The findings confirm the importance of the neonatal thyroid screening program, as 57% of diagnosed children were not symptomatic at diagnosis. Pediatricians should be aware of the various clinical presentations of congenital hypothyroidism, particularly prolonged neonatal jaundice.

Abdulmoein E Al-Agha, Dareen S Alghalbi, Shahad J Ashgar and Arwa A Badakhan

To read the full article Download Full Article | Visit Full Article