BACKGROUND

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) accounts for 10% in structure of thyroid diseases. There is a lack of researches in relevant literature evaluating its influence on the development and health of schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE

To reveal clinical and laboratory features of subclinical hypothyroidism in 7—12 years old children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study group included 32 schoolchildren of both sexes with diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism, comparison group consisted of 157 conditionally healthy children. Comparative assessment of children’s health status was carried out based on comprehensive examination including laboratory and instrumental methods. Materials were processed using classical statistics methods.

RESULTS

Common variable immunodeficiency, chronic infections caused by herpes group viruses and autonomic nervous system disorders were registered in 1.7—2 times more frequently as a comorbid pathology in the study group relative to the comparative group (p=0.01—0.04). A tendency to higher levels of obesity and other types of nutritional deficiencies has been found. A trend to increasing lipid spectrum atherogenity in the blood (p=0.07—0.10) secondary to higher values of C-reactive protein and cortisol (p=0.03) has been revealed in children with SH when evaluating the laboratory test results. Immunological status was characterized by statistically significantly more common registered decrease of IgG level in children of the study group without any differences in results’ structure of other parameters.

CONCLUSION

The revealed clinical and laboratory features of subclinical hypothyroidism in 7—12 years old children indicate the need for case monitoring aimed at timely prescription of appropriate curative and preventive measures.