ESPE Abstracts

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is defined as elevated TSH levels while T4 or FT4 levels are normal. In adults, Subclinical hypothyroidism has been correlated to higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, TG and lower levels of HDL. Correlation of higher levels of TSH and dyslipidemia in children is controversial. As a result, we designed the study to assess the relation between lipid profile components and TSH levels in children and adolescence.

Method: This cross-sectional study was performed in a growth assessment clinic in Shiraz. Children aged between 2 to 18 years that came to the clinic for routine growth assessment follow up from January till April 2018 were considered. 847 children including 366 boys and 481 girls were included. Subjects were divided into two age groups: 2-9 and 10-18 year olds. TSH levels equal or above 5 and lower than 10 mIU/mL with normal FT4 were considered as subclinical hypothyroidism.

Results: 666 children were euthyroid while 181 had subclinical hypothyroidism. Mean TC in euthyroid children was 160.50 ± 29.070 mg/dl and in SH group 161.39 ± 28.694 mg/dl (P=0.713). Mean LDL-C in euthyroid children was 90.96 ± 24.996 mg/dl and in SH group 89.10 ± 23.852 mg/dl (P=0.369). Mean HDL-C in euthyroid children was 47.94 ± 10.560 mg/dl and in SH group 49.04 ± 10.361 mg/dl. (P=0.211). Mean non HDL-C in euthyroid children was 112.56 ± 27.696 mg/dl and in SH group 112.35 ± 28.136 mg/dl. (P=0.929). Mean TG in euthyroid children was 104.98 ± 54.934 mg/dl and in SH group 113.83 ± 91.342 mg/dl. (P=0.215).There was no significant difference in mean serum TChol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL and TG levels between euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid children and in their respective 2-9 and 10-18 year old subgroups. There was no significant difference in prevalence of any of the lipid profile dyslipidemias between euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroid children and in the subsequent age related subgroups. Adjusted for age, gender and BMI Z-score, no correlation was seen between TSH levels and any lipid profile component. (r=0.033 P=0.331 for TChol, r=0.015 P=0.657 for LDL-c, r=0.039 P=0.257 for HDL-c, r=0.020 P=0.554 for Non-HDL-c and r=0.019 P=0.584 for TG)

Conclusion: By comparing the results of this study with other studies, it is evident that lipid disorder in subclinical hypothyroid children does not have a specific pattern.