Abstract:

Many genetic and environmental factors play role in the etiology of thyroid nodules in the childhood. The incidence of palpable thyroid nodules in childhood is known as 2%. There are studies indicating that this incidence is increased to 5% since thyroid ultrasonography is used more commonly. Although most of the thyroid nodules are benign in the children, incidence of malignancy of thyroid nodules in childhood is quite higher than adults. The early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules in childhood is of vital importance since risk of distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis and recurrence rate after treatment is much higher than adult age group. Nowadays, the higher utilization rates of radiological imaging, immunohistochemical and molecular diagnostic techniques help the early diagnosis of the cases and selection of proper therapeutic interventions.   In this paper, predisposal factors and risk factors for malignancy of thyroid nodules in childhood is discussed, treatment and follow-up approach is reviewed with the literature.

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