Graves’ disease in children
Graves disease is much less common in children than in adults. Graves disease is an autoimmune disease. That means the child’s own immune system attacks the thyroid.
What is autoimmune disease?
The immune system normally protects the body from germs with proteins called antibodies. But with an autoimmune disease, the body makes antibodies that attack its own tissues. With Graves disease, antibodies cause the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Excess thyroid hormone in the bloodstream causes the body’s metabolism to be too active. This can lead to problems such as weight loss, nervousness, fast heartbeat, tiredness, and other issues. Graves disease is an ongoing (chronic) condition that needs lifelong treatment or watching.
Symptoms of Graves’ disease in children
The signs of Graves disease may be different in children than in adults. Signs can occur a bit differently in each child.Graves disease can be harder to diagnose in kids who are normally or only mildly hyperactive. A parent may mistake a child’s behavior for hyperactivity or a psychiatric condition. The symptoms of Graves disease can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. They can include:
- An enlarged thyroid gland in the front of neck (goiter)
- Trouble swallowing
- Bulging eyes
- Weight loss or not enough weight gain despite increased appetite
- Fast heartbeat,
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased sweating
- Inability to tolerate warm weather
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in menstrual periods
- Hair loss, especially scalp hair
- Weakness, Tiredness (fatigue)
- Irritability, nervousness, and mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
- Emotional outbursts such as crying or yelling
- Fast growth rate that slows early and may lead to short height
- Increased urination or bowel movements, bedwetting
Methods of diagnosing Graves’ disease in children
Strategies for diagnosing Graves’ disease in children performed by specialists include:
Blood Tests
The doctor may order blood tests to measure the levels of the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, which are elevated in children with Graves’ disease. Blood tests are also used to measure TSH, which is lower than usual in children with this condition. Another blood test, which measures thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin antibodies, can help in confirming the diagnosis.
Thyroid Ultrasound
If the doctor finds that one side of your child’s thyroid is bigger than the other or that its texture is uneven, the doctor may recommend a thyroid ultrasound. By using sound waves to obtain a picture of the gland, ultrasound can help to identify other causes of hyperthyroidism, such as a cyst or other growths.
Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test
To confirm a diagnosis of Graves’ disease, the doctor performs a radioactive iodine uptake test. Iodine is an element that helps the thyroid make hormones, and this test measures how much iodine is absorbed by the thyroid. First, your child swallows a liquid or capsule that contains a small amount of radioactive iodine. Several hours later, your child’s doctor places a scanner called a gamma probe over your child’s neck to find out how much iodine has been absorbed by the thyroid. A thyroid that absorbs a higher-than-usual amount of iodine is overactive—that is, it’s making too much thyroid hormone.
References
https://nyulangone.org/conditions/graves-disease-in-children/diagnosis
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=160&contentid=5
