Hypothyroidism in children
Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by a lack of thyroid hormones. This is a serious pathology, and manifesting itself in childhood, it can have a very adverse effect on the future life of the child. Hypothyroidism in children can be congenital. This is due to a violation of the intrauterine development of the thyroid gland, or even its absence. Since congenital hypothyroidism can attract attention only a few months after the birth of a child, and the disorders will become irreversible, a blood test is performed for the presence of thyroid hormones in all newborns, without exception.
Hypothyroidism in children can also be acquired, associated with diseases of the thyroid gland or iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency is usually endemic, that is, it is associated with living in an area where there is a deficiency of iodine in the water. This problem is known to local doctors, and therefore the necessary measures to eliminate iodine deficiency are taken even at the stage of pregnancy in women living in these areas. Therefore, iodine deficiency is currently a relatively rare cause of hypothyroidism in children, at least in developed countries.
Hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland in children is manifested by the coarsening of facial features: the face becomes blurred, becomes puffy, as mucous edema develops - myxedema. Since in children not only the facial skeleton, but all bones are in the developmental stage, such changes can significantly affect its appearance, and are reflected if the treatment is not started on time, or if it was insufficient. Children with a lack of thyroid-stimulating hormones lag behind their peers in both physical and mental development. If time is lost and treatment is started too late, irreversible changes in the nervous tissue, in particular, in the brain, may occur, and then it will not be possible to compensate for the child's mental disability, he will remain disabled.
Treatment of hypothyroidism in children is complex; it is based on hormone replacement therapy, usually lifelong. This means that the lack of their own hormones is compensated for by their artificial analogs, which must be administered daily, according to a strictly calculated scheme. To this are added drugs that normalize metabolic processes in the cells of the nervous system, and, if necessary, also vitamin therapy.
As additional methods of treatment for reduced thyroid function, a course of massage and physiotherapy exercises is prescribed. The massage course must be repeated from time to time, and physiotherapy exercises should be done regularly.
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