The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that lies at the base of the throat. In response to signals from the pituitary gland in the brain, the thyroid secretes hormones responsible for the body’s metabolism. These hormones control the speed of the body’s processes and the production of heat. They are also important in the normal growth of children.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is too active and produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism in children is rare, but in infants it can be a life-threatening condition. According to the Merck Manuals, an infant can get hyperthyroidism if her mother has Grave’s disease. This is a condition in which the body develops thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins, which are proteins that stimulate the thyroid into overproduction of thyroid hormones. These immunoglobulins can cross the placenta and to the fetus, causing the baby’s thyroid gland to become hyperactive. Infants with hyperthyroidism exhibit jitteriness, poor feeding and weight gain, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, bulging of the eyes and can have a goiter, or a swelling of the thyroid gland. Older children and adolescents can also suffer hyperthyroidism from Grave’s disease. The symptoms in older children include hyperactivity, difficulty sleeping, weight loss, irritability and anxiety, and intolerance to heat. The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism relies on the symptoms and on a series of blood tests that measure the levels of thyroid hormone and of the thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood stream. The treatment includes medicines that decrease the production of thyroid hormone.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in thyroid hormone production. In children hypothyroidism can be acquired or congenital. Congenital or neonatal hypothyroidism results from either the absence or poor development of the thyroid gland in newborns. According to Medline Plus, children with congenital hypothyroidism may have few or no symptoms, but eventually can develop puffy-appearing face, thick tongue, brittle hair, poor feeding, constipation and lack of muscle tone. If left untreated, congenital hypothyroidism can lead to severe mental retardation. Acquired hypothyroidism occurs in older children and adolescents and usually results from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition of chronic inflammation of the thyroid that decreases its ability to secrete thyroid hormones. Symptoms in older children include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation and thinning hair. Treatment for hypothyroidism includes life-long synthetic thyroid replacement.
Thyroid nodules
A thyroid nodule is a mass within the thyroid. They are usually painless masses felt or noticed in the neck. According to the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, most thyroid nodules in children are benign, but as many as 30% of them can represent cancer. A biopsy is usually necessary to determine if the nodule is malignant.
