Thyroid autoantibodies: High prevalence among schoolchildren and adolescents in Gizan, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To study the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies among schoolchildren and adolescents in Gizan, Saudi Arabia Prospective, field study. Primary, intermediate and secondary schools in Gizan, Saudi Arabia. Schoolchildren and adolescents in Gizan schools. Antithyroid antibodies [antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal] were tested in Gizan schoolchildren and adolescents using the haemagglutination method. We tested 1136 students [694 males and 442 females]. Positive antithyroglobulin antibodies were obtained in 81 students [7.1%] while 162 students [14.3%] had positive antimicrosomal antibodies. Antithyroglobulin antibodies were positive in 2.7% of male subjects and 14% of female subjects. Antimicrosomal antibodies were detected in 9.6% of males and 21.5% of females. None of the students had biochemical hypothyroidism. Thyroid autoantibodies occur with high frequency among schoolchildren and adolescents in Gizan. Genetic, and environmental factors as well as consanguineous marriages are suggested as possible factors for this high frequency