Hipotireoidismo congênito como fator de risco para os transtornos do processamento auditivo central / Congenital hypothyroidism as a risk factor for central hearing process disorders

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a manifestação de sintomas do transtorno do processamento auditivo central em crianças com hipotireoidismo congênito. Métodos: Estudo de caráter exploratório, descritivo e transversal com 112 pacientes com hipotireoidismo congênito com idade ≥5 anos. Realizou-se entrevista com os pais/cuidadores no momento da espera da consulta médica. Portadores de outras afecções médicas foram excluídos. Como instrumento de pesquisa utilizou-se o protocolo estruturado de anamnese para avaliação do processamento auditivo rotineiramente empregado por audiologistas. A análise estatística utilizou o teste Qui-quadrado. Resultados: A distribuição por sexo foi semelhante (meninas: 53,3%). Os casos não-disgenesia constituíram a forma fenotípica mais prevalente para o hipotireoidismo congênito (88,4%), e verificou-se que 65,3% das crianças apresentavam algum episódio de níveis séricos irregulares de hormônio tireoestimulante. Dentre as manifestações mais frequentes dos sintomas do transtorno do processamento auditivo central, as queixas relaciondas às funções cognitivas auditivas, como: figura-fundo (83,0%), atenção auditiva (75,9%) e memória auditiva (33,0%) foram as mais evidentes. Reclamações relacionadas ao rendimento escolar foram reportadas em 62,3%. Conclusões: Os dados obtidos evidenciaram altas frequências de sintomas de defasagem nas funções cognitivas relacionadas ao processamento auditivo central, em especial na atenção auditiva, figura-fundo e memória auditiva nos portadores do hipotireoidismo congênito.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the presence of central auditory processing disorder symptoms in children with congenital hypothyroidism. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study of 112 patients with congenital hypothyroidism aged ≥5 years old. An interview was held with the parents/caregivers at the time of the medical consultation. Patients with other medical conditions were excluded. As a research instrument, the structured protocol of anamnesis was used to evaluate the auditory processing routinely used by audiologists. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test was used. Results: Sex distribution was similar in both boys and girls (girls: 53.3%). The most prevalent phenotypic form of congenital hypothyroidism was no dysgenesis (88.4%), and 65.3% of the children had an episode of irregular serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Among the manifestations of the most frequent central auditory processing disorder symptoms, problems were reported with regard to cognitive functions, as they related to hearing, such as figure-background ability (83.0%), auditory attention (75.9%) and auditory memory (33.0%). Complaints related to school performance were reported in 62.3% of the cases. Conclusions: The data obtained show a high frequency of lag symptoms in cognitive functions related to central auditory processing, particularly with regard to auditory attention, figure-background ability and auditory memory in patients with congenital hypothyroidism.

Evolution to permanent or transient conditions in children with positive neonatal TSH screening tests in Sergipe, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objectives To assess the evolution to permanent or transient conditions in children with positive neonatal TSH tests in Sergipe, Brazil, from 2004 to 2010. Subjects and methods Out of 193,794 screened newborns, 713 presented a neonatal TSH level higher than the local cutoff (5.2 µU/mL). From the confirmatory serum TSH values, the children were diagnosed with initial congenital hypothyroidism (CH) or suspect CH. From the evolution, they were classified as permanent CH, hyperthyrotropinemia, or transient TSH elevation. The mean incidence of each final condition was calculated for the total period of time. Results The initial diagnosis included 37 CH (18.1%) and 167 suspect CH (81.9%) cases. The final diagnosis included 46 cases of permanent CH (22.5%), 56 of hyperthyrotropinemia (27.5%), and 102 of transient TSH elevation (50.0%). Out of the 37 cases of initial CH, 23 (62.2%) had permanent CH, nine (24.3%) had hyperthyrotropinemia, and five (13.5%) had transient TSH elevation. Out of the 167 suspect CH cases, 23 (13.8%) had permanent CH, 47 (28.1%) had hyperthyrotropinemia and 97 (58.1%) had transient TSH elevation. The mean incidence after the follow up was 1:4,166 for permanent CH, 1:3,448 for hyperthyrotropinemia, and 1:1,887 for transient TSH elevation. Eighty-six percent of the children with an initial diagnosis of CH and 41.9% with suspect CH had a permanent condition (CH or hyperthyrotropinemia). Conclusions The follow-up of children with an initial diagnosis of CH or suspect CH is necessary to determine whether the disorder is permanent because predicting the evolution of the condition is difficult.

Effect of Fetal Hypothyroidism on Cardiac Myosin Heavy Chain Expression in Male Rats / O Efeito de Hipotireoidismo Fetal na Expressão da Miosina Cardíaca de Cadeia Pesada em Ratos Macho

Abstract Background: Thyroid hormone deficiency during fetal life could affect the cardiac function in later life. The mechanism underlying this action in fetal hypothyroidism (FH) in rats has not been elucidated thus far. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluation the effect of FH on cardiac function in male rats and to determine the contribution of α-myosin heavy chain (MHC) and β-MHC isoforms. Methods: Six pregnant female rats were randomly divided into two groups: The hypothyroid group received water containing 6-propyl-2-thiouracil during gestation and the controls consumed tap water. The offspring of the rats were tested in adulthood. Hearts from the FH and control rats were isolated and perfused with langendroff setup for measuring hemodynamic parameters; also, the heart mRNA expressions of α- MHC and β-MHC were measured by qPCR. Results: Baseline LVDP (74.0 ± 3.1 vs. 92.5 ± 3.2 mmHg, p < 0.05) and heart rate (217 ± 11 vs. 273 ± 6 beat/min, p < 0.05) were lower in the FH rats than controls. Also, these results showed the same significance in ±dp/dt. In the FH rats, β-MHC expression was higher (201%) and α- MHC expression was lower (47%) than control. Conclusion: Thyroid hormone deficiency during fetal life could attenuate normal cardiac functions in adult rats, an effect at least in part due to the increased expression of β-MHC to α- MHC ratio in the heart.

Resumo Fundamento: Deficiência de hormônio da tireoide durante vida fetal pode afetar a função cardíaca no futuro. O mecanismo subjacente dessa ação em hipotireoidismo fetal (HF) em ratos ainda não tem explicação. Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar o efeito de HF na função cardíaca em ratos macho e determinar a contribuição da α-miosina de cadeia pesada (α-MCP) e de isoformas β-MCP. Métodos: Seis ratos fêmea gestantes foram aleatoriamente divididas em dois grupos. O grupo do hipotireoidismo recebeu água contendo 6-propil-2-tiouracil durante a gestação, e os ratos no grupo de controle receberam água de torneira. Os filhotes dos ratos foram testados quando atingiram idade adulta. O coração dos ratos HF e controle foram isolados e submetidos a perfusão pelo método de Langendorff para medição de parâmetros hemodinâmicos. Também foram medidas as expressões de mRNA do coração de α-MCP e β-MCP por qPCR. Resultados: PVED de base (74,0 ± 3,1 vs. 92,5 ± 3,2 mmHg, p < 0,05) e pressão arterial (217 ± 11 vs. 273 ± 6 batidas/min, p < 0,05) mostraram-se mais baixas em ratos HF do que em ratos controle. Além disso, esses resultados mostraram a mesma significância em ±dp/dt. Em ratos HF, a expressão de β-MCP foi mais alta (201%) e a de α-MCP foi mais baixa (47%) do que em ratos controle. Conclusão: Deficiência de hormônio da tireoide durante a vida fetal pode enfraquecer funções cardíacas normais em ratos adultos, efeito devido em parte à expressão aumentada de β-MCP em relação a α-MCP no coração.

Large thyroid cyst in a patient with congenital hypothyroidism / Grande cisto tiroidiano em paciente com hipotireoidismo congênito

Thyroid hormone biosynthetic defects are rare causes of congenital hypothyroidism. Although, initial presentations are usually diffuse goiter and hypothyroidism, subsequently they may develop thyroid nodules and or thyroid cancer. We describe a case of hypothyroidism due to dyshormonogenesis whose one of the previously solid nodules degenerates into a large cyst. A 22-year-old male was referred to our clinic for evaluation of enlarging thyroid nodule. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in infancy, however due to poor compliance to treatment TSH values were elevated most of the times. When he was fifteen the first nodule was detected which was a solid cold nodule. Fine needle aspiration was in favor of benign follicular nodule. Seven years later we found a large multi nodular thyroid with a predominant large cyst corresponding to the previously detected solid nodule. 21cc straw colored fluid was aspirated. Cytology was reported as benign cystic nodule. The patient underwent thyroidectomy and pathology confirmed a benign thyroid cyst. Although underreported thyroid dyshormonogenesis may progress to cystic degeneration. Taking into account the risk of malignancy and eventually cyst formation, we recommend more frequent evaluation in the face of nodule formation in these patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):958-61.

Os defeitos de biossíntese do hormônio tiroidiano são causas raras de hipotireoidismo congênito. Embora as apresentações iniciais sejam geralmente bócio difuso e hipotireoidismo, nódulos tiroidianos ou câncer de tiroide podem se desenvolver subsequentemente. Descrevemos aqui um caso de hipotireoidismo causado por disormonogênese e no qual um dos nódulos sólidos degenerou em um grande cisto. Um homem de 22 anos de idade foi encaminhado para nossa clínica para avaliação do aumento de um nódulo tiroidiano. O hipotireoidismo foi diagnosticado na infância. Entretanto, em razão da baixa conformidade ao tratamento, os valores de TSH estavam elevados na maior parte do tempo. Quando o paciente tinha 15 anos de idade, um primeiro nódulo sólido e frio foi detectado. A aspiração por agulha fina mostrou um nódulo folicular benigno. Sete anos depois encontramos múltiplos nódulos na tiroide e um grande cisto predominante que correspondia ao nódulo sólido anteriormente detectado. Foram aspirados 21cc de fluido cor de palha. A citologia mostrou um nódulo cístico benigno. O paciente foi submetido à tiroidectomia e o exame histopatológico confirmou um cisto tiroidiano benigno. Embora não seja comumente relatada, a disormonogênese da tiroide pode progredir para a degeneração cística. Ao serem considerados o risco de malignidade e a eventual formação de cistos, recomendamos uma avaliação mais frequente da formação de nódulos nesses pacientes. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):958-61.

Hipotireoidismo congênito: perfil clínico dos recém-nascidos identificados pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal de Minas Gerais / Congenital hypothyroidism: the clinical profile of affected newborns identified by the Newborn Screening Program of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil clínico de recém-nascidos com hipotireoidismo congênito identificados pelo Programa Estadual de Triagem Neonatal de Minas Gerais entre 2000 e 2006. MÉTODOS: A frequência das manifestações clínicas de hipotireoidismo congênito foi analisada em relação aos níveis de hormônio estimulante da tireoide T4L (determinados por quimioluminescência, valores de referência de 0,3 a 5,0 µUI/mL e 0,8 a 1,8 ng/dL, respectivamente) e idades ao diagnóstico e tratamento. Estudou-se 443 crianças, sendo 55,8 por cento do sexo feminino e 95 por cento delas com menos 60 dias de vida. RESULTADOS: Os sinais clínicos mais prevalentes foram: hérnia umbilical (51 por cento), fontanela anterior ampla (50,3 por cento) e fontanela posterior aberta (47,2 por cento). Hipotonia, macroglossia e sucção débil foram os sinais mais associados com a gravidade bioquímica da doença. Em 32,1 por cento das crianças houve atraso na idade óssea ao diagnóstico. As medianas de TSH e T4L séricos foram 120 µUI/mL e 0,62 ng/dL, respectivamente. A mediana da idade de início de tratamento foi de 28 dias. CONCLUSÃO: Existem sinais clínicos precoces que sugerem o diagnóstico de hipotireoidismo congênito. Portanto, diante de uma criança com esses sinais, devem ser avaliados TSH e T4L séricos para confirmar ou excluir a doença, independentemente do resultado do teste de triagem. A idade de início de tratamento ainda foi elevada, mas o programa vem adotando estratégias para redução da mesma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical profile of newborns with congenital hypothyroidism identified by the Newborn Screening Program of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2000 and 2006. METHODS: Analysis of factors involved in this profile, including: TSH and FT4 levels (determined by chemiluminescence, with limits of normality set at 0.3-5.0 µUI/mL and 0.8-1.8 ng/dL, respectively), age at diagnosis and age at treatment. The study sample consisted of 443 children, 55.8 percent were female and 95 percent were seen before completing 60 days of life. RESULTS: The most prevalent clinical signals were: umbilical hernia (51 percent), enlarged anterior fontanel (50.3 percent), and open posterior fontanel (47.2 percent). Hypotonia, macroglossia and feeding difficulties were the clinical signs most frequently associated with the biochemical severity of the disease. A delay in bone age was present in 32.1 percent of the children at diagnosis. The median of serum TSH and FT4 was 120 µUI/mL and 0.62 ng/dL, respectively. The median age at start of treatment was 28 days. CONCLUSION: There are some early clinical signs that suggest a diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism. Therefore, when presented with a child exhibiting these signs, serum TSH and FT4 should be assayed in order to confirm or rule out the disease, irrespective of the result of screening. Age at start of treatment remains high, but strategies are being implemented to reduce it.

Densidade mineral óssea de crianças e adolescentes com hipotireoidismo congênito / Bone mineral density of children and adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism

Realizou-se estudo transversal com 60 pacientes (9,9 ± 1,8 anos) com hipotireoidismo congênito (HC) (grupo A): 40 meninas (23 pré-púberes) e 20 meninos (18 pré-púberes), com grupo controle (grupo B) constituído por 28 indivíduos (10,4 ± 2,1 anos): 18 meninas (8 pré-púberes) e 10 meninos (9 pré-púberes). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a densidade (DMO) e o conteúdo mineral ósseo (CMO) e correlacioná-los com idade cronológica e óssea (IO), sexo, maturação sexual, dose de l-T4, TSH, TT4, FT4, e etiologia do HC. IO, DMO e CMO de corpo total (DXA) foram obtidos dos 2 grupos; TSH, TT4 e FT4, apenas dos pacientes. DMO foi menor no grupo A (0,795 ± 0,075 g/cm² vs. 0,832 ± 0,092; p = 0,04) e maior nas meninas púberes do que nas pré-púberes (p = 0,004). Não houve diferença significativa de DMO e CMO quanto ao sexo e etiologia do HC. Nosso estudo mostra que a DMO foi significativamente menor no grupo com HC, diferente dos dados da literatura.

A cross sectional study was made on 60 patients (9.9 ± 1.8 yr-old) with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) (group A): 40 girls (23 prepubertal) and 20 boys (18 prepubertal). Control group (group B) was constituted of 28 healthy children (10.4 ± 2.1 yr-old): 18 girls (8 prepubertal) and 10 boys (9 prepubertal). AIMS: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) and to correlate them with chronological and bone age (BA), sex, sexual maturation, l-T4 dose, TSH, TT4, FT4, and CH etiology. BA, total body BMD, and BMC (DXA) were obtained of both groups. TSH, TT4, and FT4 were measured in patients only. BMD was lower in group A (0.795 ± 0.075 g/cm² vs. 0.832 ± 0.092; p = 0.04) and higher in pubertal than in prepubertal girls (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference between BMD and BMC related to sex and CH etiology. Our data demonstrated that BMD was significantly lower in children with CH, different from what has been published in the literature.

A study of therapeutic effect of the growth of children with hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: This study was done to see the therapeutic effect of the growth of children who was diagnosed as hypothyroidism. METHODS: Thirty-four children with primary hypothyroidism were included in this study. Height, weight and head circumference were measured at initial diagnosis and at every follow up visit. Thyroid function was done. The value was interpreted as abnormal if the range was above or below the normal (T3=70-200 u/L, T4=4-13 u/L, TSH=0.3-6 u/L). X-ray to see the bone age for the chronological age was performed. The value was interpreted as abnormal if the ossification center for the chronological age in inappropriate. Treatment was started with Eltroxine from the day of diagnosis. Dose was adjusted according to the response to the medicine. T3, T4 and TSH level was taken as the guideline to adjust the dose of the drug. X-ray was considered in the follow up where it was indicated. RESULT: Marked improvement in the anthropometry was seen in comparison to the initial assessment which was well correlated with the normalization of the TSH level and the x-ray of the bone. CONCLUSION: Serial follow up of these patients was necessary in order to assess the growth in height, weight and head circumference along with the repeated thyroid function to correlate the response of the drug.

Hipotiroidismo congênito transitório: perfil das crianças identificadas no programa estadual de triagem neonatal de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Congenital transient hypothyroidism: characteristics of children identified at newborn screening program of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoces do hipotiroidismo congênito (HC) constituem os principais objetivos dos programas de triagem neonatal. Neste estudo avaliou-se o perfil hormonal e os possíveis fatores responsáveis pelo HC transitório (HCT). Os dados foram colhidos dos prontuários das crianças acompanhadas no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, triadas pelo Programa Estadual de Triagem Neonatal de Minas Gerais. Para o diagnóstico de HCT considerou-se: exames de triagem e sérico confirmatório alterados; TSH e T4 livre normais em 4 e 8 semanas após suspensão do tratamento hormonal para avaliação etiológica. As 21 crianças com HCT representavam 4,23 por cento das crianças acompanhadas pelo Programa e receberam tratamento com L-tiroxina por um mês a três anos. Os valores de TSH no primeiro exame sérico variaram de 10,4 a 583,4æUI/ml, não se correlacionando, portanto, à gravidade da doença. Possivelmente a presença de anticorpos maternos em duas crianças, anti-TPO (anticorpo anti-tireoperoxidase) em uma e o anticorpo anti-receptor de TSH associado à exposição ao iodo em outra foram responsáveis pelo hipotiroidismo. Concluímos que o HCT é uma entidade importante na triagem neonatal, sendo essencial o tratamento hormonal nos primeiros meses de vida e que os níveis iniciais de TSH não são úteis para definir se a disfunção tiroidiana será transitória ou permanente.

TSH assay using dried blood samples: a screening method for congenital hypothyroidism.

Capillary blood samples from three hundred healthy, full-term newborn within 48 and 120 hours of delivery, were collected on filter paper for analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Blood was collected by pricking the heel of the newborn and spotted and dried on filter paper cards. The samples were analysed by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) to determine the TSH level. Some fifteen percent of a total 1928 deliveries at two hospitals during a period of one year were included in the study. Male:female ratio was 1.1:1. There was no maternal history of thyroid disease. None of the babies had any clinical feature of hypothyroidism. On analysis, TSH level ranged from 0.6-19.3 microU/ml with a mean (SD) of 7.19 (4.21) microU/ml. TSH assay from dried filter paper blood spot is technically possible and is a cost-effective and reliable method for a screening programme. This is the first time in Bangladesh that this method has been successfully carried out.