ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is a rare but potentially serious childhood disorder that, if left unchecked, can lead to a wide range of complications, including effects on growth and development. Medical history, physical examination and thyroid function tests help diagnose hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children, accounting for over 95% of cases, and is caused by stimulating antibodies directed against the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor.

Patients and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study of the records of 11 patients followed in the pediatric department of the Mustapha Bacha University Hospital in Algiers. The aim of the study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of the patients and the therapeutic possibilities.

Results: The average age of our patients was 10 years old; we found a female predominance with 10 female patients and only 01 male patient. The disease was symptomatic in all patients (weight loss, tachycardia, insomnia), exophthalmos was present in 03 patients, and clinical examination found goiter in all patients. Graves' disease was the most frequent cause, found in 09 cases, the other two cases’ etiology was a thyroid toxic hot nodule. Surgical treatment was necessary in a patient with two toxic hot nodules, and radioiodine therapy was performed after the end of puberty for another patient who had poorly controlled Graves' disease under medical treatment (carbimazole). For the other patients, the disease was well controlled under medical treatment (Carbimazole), with two patients in complete remission.

Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism is a rare but serious childhood disorder, most often occurring as a result of Graves' disease. Treatment options for Graves' disease in children include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery. Antithyroid drugs are commonly used as first-line treatment in children.