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Non-autoimmune subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in children

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the frequency of non-autoimmune subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in children with idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 30 children (age 1–18 y) with idiopathic SRNS; and 30 healthy controls. Serum T3, T4 and TSH were performed in cases as well as controls. Anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibody tests were performed in all cases.

Results

Non-autoimmune subclinical or overt hypothyroidism was detected in 10 out of 30 children with idiopathic SRNS; 2 had overt hypothyroidism, while 8 patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. Children with SRNS had a mean (SD) TSH value 4.55 (4.64) mIU/L that was higher as compared to controls (1.88 (1.04) mIU/L) (P<0.01). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the commonest histopathological condition, seen in 13 (43.3%). Children with overt hypothyroidism (2 cases) and grade III subclinical hypothyroidism (1 case) were subsequently started on levothyroxine therapy.

Conclusions

The prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism seems to be high in idiopathic SRNS, with almost one-third of children having overt or subclinical non-autoimmune hypothyroidism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India

    Vidhya Marimuthu & Sriram Krishnamurthy

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India

    Medha Rajappa

Authors
  1. Vidhya Marimuthu
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  2. Sriram Krishnamurthy
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  3. Medha Rajappa
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Correspondence to Sriram Krishnamurthy.

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Marimuthu, V., Krishnamurthy, S. & Rajappa, M. Non-autoimmune subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in children. Indian Pediatr 54, 925–929 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-017-1183-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-017-1183-2

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