Özet:

Aim: The importance of establishing reference ranges for thyroid volume is a worldwide trend, however, to date, limited data are available regarding thyroid isthmus thickness (TIT) in healthy children. The present study aimed to report the reference values for TIT in children aged between 0 and 18 years from Turkey. Material and Method: The TIT was measured by ultrasonography in 447 subjects between December 2018 and September 2020. The 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles of the TIT according to age and gender were determined and compared with published data. The TIT values were compared with children’s age, gender, and Z-score data for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Results: The median [interquartile range (IQR) 25 - 75] values for TIT were 1.5 (1.3-2.0) mm. The TI was thicker in females than in males and this gender difference was statistically significant (1.6mm vs. 1.5mm, p=0.023, respectively). The TIT was highly significantly associated with age, and Z-scores for weight, height, and BMI (r=0.461, r=0.457, r=0.448, and r=0.434, respectively; p<0.0001 for all). Z-score for weight was the strongest predictor of the TIT in the multivariate regression model. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the normative data for TIT in healthy Turkish infants, children, and adolescents. The present results will provide valuable scientific input for developing reference standards for TIT on a national and international level.

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