Thyroid Autoimmunity in Schoolchildren in an Area with Long-Standing Iodine Sufficiency: Correlation with Gender, Pubertal Stage, and Maternal Thyroid Autoimmunity

• DOI: 10.1089/thy.2007.0370
• Publication Date: 2008-07-17T07:24:20Z
• Authors: Irene Kaloumenou; George Mastorakos; Maria Alevizaki; Leonidas H. Duntas; Emilia Mantzou; Charalambos Ladop...; Aristides Antoniou; Dimitrios Chiotis; Ioannis Papassoti...; George P. Chrousos; Catherine Dacou-V...
• Keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Anti-thyroid autoantibodies; Thyroid peroxidase

Background: A strong genetic background and gender are believed to be involved in thyroid autoimmunity (TA). The age these factors become manifest is less clear, however. objective of the present study was determine prevalence TA children adolescents if there relationships between period onset maternal autoimmunity. Methods: Antithyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO Ab), antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg thyrotropin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, urinary iodine were determined 440 healthy schoolchildren (200 boys 240 girls), aged 5–18 years, 123 mothers living an iodine-replete region. Results: positive anti-TPO anti-Tg Ab 4.6% 4.3%, respectively. In girls, higher Tanner stage II–V compared I (8.2% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.05). No difference detected with regard Ab. levels associated significantly greater volume. Hypoechogenicity 52.6% 36.8% or Ab, respectively (p = 0.0005). autoimmune thyroiditis, as defined by serum and/or echographic pattern gland having diffuse irregular hypoechogenicity, 2.5%. Mothers had more frequently negative (82% 18%; (75% 25%; Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that antibody positivity their development girls emerges at puberty. Since heredity, female gender, puberty strongly TA, families should examined