Thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in untreated children with vertically acquired chro

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Thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in untreated children with

vertically acquired chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Authors: Indolfi, Giuseppe; Stagi, Stefano; Bartolini, ; Salti, o; de

o, Maurizio; Azzari, Chiara; Resti, Massimo

Source: Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 68, Number 1, January 2008 , pp.

117-121(5)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Summary Objective 

The reported data on thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in adults

with untreated hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are controversial. Data are

scarce for HCV-infected children, and only in those treated with interferon-α

(IFN-α). We investigated thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in a

cohort of untreated children with vertically acquired, chronic, HCV infection.

Design and patients 

FT4 and TSH serum levels (measured by immunometric assays) and

anti-thyroglobulin (TgA) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOA) antibodies (evaluated

by fluorescence enzymatic immunoassays) were studied in 36 consecutive

HCV-infected children and 150 age- and sex-matched controls. The prevalence of

thyroid involvement was also related to family history of autoimmune disease,

distribution of HCV genotypes, and duration and activity of HCV infection.

Results 

Four out of 36 (11·1%) HCV-infected children and 4/150 controls (2·7%) showed

subclinical hypothyroidism [P = 0·04; relative risk (RR) 4·56, 95% confidence

interval (CI) 1·08-19·21]. None of these had anti-thyroid autoantibodies. Two

out of 36 (5·6%) HCV-infected children and 1/150 (0·7%) controls had increased

TgA values with normal levels of TSH (P> 0·05). Subclinical hypothyroidism and

anti-thyroid autoantibodies were not related to family history of autoimmune

disease, duration of infection, HCV viral load, liver function or different HCV

genotype distribution, but seemed to be related to the presence of active HCV

infection. Conclusions 

Our data suggest a role for HCV infection in the development of nonautoimmune

thyroid disease in untreated HCV-infected children, confirming previous studies

in adults. Clinicians should be aware of thyroid dysfunction even in untreated

children.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03009.x

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cend/2008/00000068/00000001/art00019;j\

sessionid=4rq21bd3lsnrt.henrietta

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[Guest guest]

Thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in untreated children with

vertically acquired chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Authors: Indolfi, Giuseppe; Stagi, Stefano; Bartolini, ; Salti, o; de

o, Maurizio; Azzari, Chiara; Resti, Massimo

Source: Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 68, Number 1, January 2008 , pp.

117-121(5)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Summary Objective 

The reported data on thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in adults

with untreated hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are controversial. Data are

scarce for HCV-infected children, and only in those treated with interferon-α

(IFN-α). We investigated thyroid function and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in a

cohort of untreated children with vertically acquired, chronic, HCV infection.

Design and patients 

FT4 and TSH serum levels (measured by immunometric assays) and

anti-thyroglobulin (TgA) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOA) antibodies (evaluated

by fluorescence enzymatic immunoassays) were studied in 36 consecutive

HCV-infected children and 150 age- and sex-matched controls. The prevalence of

thyroid involvement was also related to family history of autoimmune disease,

distribution of HCV genotypes, and duration and activity of HCV infection.

Results 

Four out of 36 (11·1%) HCV-infected children and 4/150 controls (2·7%) showed

subclinical hypothyroidism [P = 0·04; relative risk (RR) 4·56, 95% confidence

interval (CI) 1·08-19·21]. None of these had anti-thyroid autoantibodies. Two

out of 36 (5·6%) HCV-infected children and 1/150 (0·7%) controls had increased

TgA values with normal levels of TSH (P> 0·05). Subclinical hypothyroidism and

anti-thyroid autoantibodies were not related to family history of autoimmune

disease, duration of infection, HCV viral load, liver function or different HCV

genotype distribution, but seemed to be related to the presence of active HCV

infection. Conclusions 

Our data suggest a role for HCV infection in the development of nonautoimmune

thyroid disease in untreated HCV-infected children, confirming previous studies

in adults. Clinicians should be aware of thyroid dysfunction even in untreated

children.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03009.x

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cend/2008/00000068/00000001/art00019;j\

sessionid=4rq21bd3lsnrt.henrietta

_________________________________________________________________

Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live.

http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_122007