Autoimmune thyroid disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Northwest Iran

ABSTRACT

To investigate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in diabetic children in Northwest Iran. In a cross-sectional study from February 2006 to November 2007, serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyrotropin hormone were measured with ELISA method in 176 diabetic children [78 Male and 98 Female] at a mean age of 8.3 +/- 3.7 and mean diabetes duration of 1.6 +/- 2.5 years, who were referred to the Pediatric-Endocrinology Clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Autoimmune thyroid disease was found in 12% of patients [8.6% female, and 3.4% male]. Significant levels were found for anti-thyroid peroxidase [10.2%], anti-thyroglobulin [8%], and both antibodies [6.3%] in all patients. We concluded that autoimmune thyroid disease in Iranian children, and adolescents with type 1 diabetes has a medium prevalence rate compared with those of other countries. The disease is more common in female, and older diabetic patients