engleski

Do we need screening of thyroid gland disorders and diseases in school children and youth - our experience

Background: Data from systematic examination of first grade high school students showed that 4.3% of girls and 0.6% boys had enlarged thyroids. Objective: To assess if thyroid gland examination during routine systematic examination is of importance. Patients and Methods: Examination of thyroid is mandatory part of systematic examination in first, fifth and eighth grade of primary and first year of high school. Cohort of students from enrolling in primary school to first year of secondary school was followed-up. In addition to clinical examination, family history and subjective symptoms relevant to thyroid disease were considered and laboratory tests and endocrinology evaluation were performed. Results: Out of 559 (270 girls) students in first year of high school, 24.7% had enlarged thyroid ; the ratio of positive findings was 6.6:1 in favor of girls. In first grade of primary school, 404 students had enlargement of first degree (15.5%) and 117 second-degree (3.8%). In the fifth grade, 8 who had enlarged thyroid in first grade, 7 had normal and one still had enlarged thyroid, but in fifth grade were 14 new cases. In eighth grade, out of 28 who had enlarged thyroid, 19 were new cases. In first year of high school were 100 new cases. Out of 28 with increased thyroid in eighth grade, in high school 19 still had enlarged thyroid. Out of 9 who had enlarged thyroid in eighth grade, 5 had normal findings in high school, and 4 out of 19 were new cases. Out of 15 children with enlarged thyroid, 4 had autoimmune disease (2 detected in fifth grade), 1 with chronic diffuse changes and 1 with hyperthyroidism. Conclusion: Children with enlarged thyroid detected in high school are under additional diagnostic procedures and after that would be possible to answer if and when is necessary to perform screening.

children; adolescents; thyroid gland

nije evidentirano