Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Down’s Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Association of Down’s syndrome and Hypothyroidism is reported since long time. It is difficult to diagnose Hypothyroidism in Down’s syndrome as the symptoms overlap. Different studies reveal different views regarding the association. So in present study we tried to find out the association between Down’ syndrome and Hypothyroidism. Methodology: Present study was conducted at “Down Syndrome care association, Nashik, India”. The study group was 68 known cases of Down’s syndrome. TSH levels were obtained from blood sample at the earliest. Data was analysed statistically. Results: Overall population had 36% cases had high TSH levels. High TSH level in children below 5 years is 24%. The high level of TSH in children of the age group 5 years to 10 years is 46%. And percentage of children above the age of 10 years with high TSH level is 83.34%. Conclusion: Percentage of thyroid dysfunction is defiantly higher in children’s suffering from Down’ syndrome than normal population. Percentage goes higher as the age increases, so periodic check-up of thyroid function is recommended.