Hashimoto Thyroiditis in Childhood – Review of the Epidemiology, Genetic Susceptibility and Clinical Aspects of the Disease

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) is the most common endocrine disorder in childhood and adolescence. Also it is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism in children. Thyroid hormones have critical impact on early brain development, somatic growth, bone maturation; they play a role in synthesis of more than 100 proteins that constantly regulate each and every function in the body. Optimal thyroid hormone quantity is important because a prolonged hypothyroid state before starting treatment in children may result in incomplete catch-up growth [1], obesity [2] and precocious pseudo-puberty [3].