Abstract:

Objective: Thyroid functions in obese children and ado­lescents were evaluated in order to determine subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: In this study, 85 obese (Body mass index >97th percentile) children, aged 2-14 years, as well as 47 healthy controls were enrolled. Levels of serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of the two groups were compared. Obese children with TSH level above 5.4 IU/ml were also analyzed for anti-thyroglobulin (anti Tg) and antiperoxidase antibodies (anti TPO) and thyroid ul­trasounds were performed. Results: Obese children showed higher serum concen­trations of TSH and fT3 than the controls but no significant difference in serum fT4 levels was found between the two groups (P=0.001). One child had high auto antibodies and 32 had high TSH levels. Of the latter, 29 children had normal thyroid ultrasound findings and three had nodules or thyroiditis but no enlargement of the thyroid gland. Conclusion: TSH and fT3 levels were found to be higher in obese children compared with non-obese children with no difference of fT4 levels between two groups.

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