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Correlation between age, body size and thyroid volume in an endemic area

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Abstract

Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive technique that provides a more precise and objective method of determining thyroid volume than inspection and palpation, particularly in areas of mild endemicity, and generally whenever goiters are small. Thyroid volume is also correlated with age, weight, height and body surface area (BSA) in non-iodine-deficient areas. Different authors prefer different parameters to assess thyroid gland volumes. In this study, thyroid volumes were determined using ultrasound in 605 school children aged 6–11 yr who had been living for at least 5 years in Antalya. The correlation between age, BSA, height, weight, BMI and thyroid volume was sought in this mild to moderate iodine-deficient area. Somatic development of our children was in the normal range. Thyroid volume was significantly correlated with age (r=0.41, p<0.001), height (r=0.33, p<0.001), weight (r=0.30, p<0.001), BSA (r=0.33, p<0.001), and BMI (r=0.13, p<0.001). The most significant correlation was found to be with age. The application of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) thyroid volume references to our subjects resulted in prevalence estimates of enlarged thyroid of 31% based on BSA and of 34% based on age. In conclusion, when thyroid volumes are to be compared with reference values, assessment of thyroid volumes based on age is the most reliable method, in the event of normal somatic development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Endocrinologist, Department of Health, Culture and Sports, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Yeşilbahçe Mah. 1462 Sok., Ali Güney Apt. No: 14/11, 07160, Antalya, Turkey

    Serap Semiz

  2. Division of Radiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey

    U. Şenol & O. Bircan

  3. Division of Biochemistry, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey

    S. Gümüşlü & S. Bilmen

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey

    I. Bircan

Authors
  1. Serap Semiz
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  2. U. Şenol
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  3. O. Bircan
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  4. S. Gümüşlü
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  5. S. Bilmen
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  6. I. Bircan
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Correspondence to Serap Semiz.

Additional information

This study was undertaken at Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Antalya, Turkey.

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Semiz, S., Şenol, U., Bircan, O. et al. Correlation between age, body size and thyroid volume in an endemic area. J Endocrinol Invest 24, 559–563 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343894

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