ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics of Graves' disease in children and adolescents in Medina, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and compare them to those observed in other countries. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of children and adolescents diagnosed with Graves' disease between January 2010 and May 2021. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients aged 12.02 ± 4.85 years were identified, of which 44 (75.9%) were females. Exophthalmos (63.8%), neck swelling (60.3%), palpitations (46.6%), and tremors (29.3%) were the most common manifestations. Vitiligo (1.72%) and alopecia (1.72%) were the only autoimmune diseases observed in our patients. The median (IQR) value was 0.01 (0.36) (ulU/mL) for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and 24.89 (29.50) (pmol/L) for FT4. In terms of treatment modalities, 55 (94.8%) received antithyroid medication, 6 (10.3%) underwent thyroidectomy and one patient (1.72%) was treated with radioactive iodine. CONCLUSION: In general, Graves' disease is more common in females. Neck swelling, palpitation, and tremors were the main manifestations. Compared with other countries, there was a higher frequency of exophthalmos and a lower frequency of associated autoimmune conditions. The primary treatment was antithyroid drugs; thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine were used less frequently.
