| Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism in children is | | | | antibody's ability to cross the placenta. In children and |
| marked by overproduction and secretion of the thyroid | | | | adolescents, Graves' disease is the usual cause of |
| hormone thyroxine (T4), manufactured in the thyroid | | | | hyperthyroidism. |
| gland. | | | | Symptoms: |
| The effects of hyperactive thyroid are somewhat | | | | Irritability |
| different than they are for adults, but not as severe. | | | | Feeding problems |
| Most all children with Graves disease, or | | | | High blood pressure |
| hyperthyroidism, have swollen thyroid glands, or goiters, | | | | Rapid heart rate |
| as well as Graves' ophthalmopathy, or bulging eyes. | | | | Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) |
| Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO): Is a condition that | | | | Goiterfrontal bossing (prominent forehead) |
| impacts the eye muscles that rotate the eyeball. An | | | | Microcephaly (an abnormally small head and |
| immune response is triggered, causing activation of | | | | underdeveloped brain) |
| white blood cells (WBC), resulting in inflammation and | | | | Failure to thrive - poor weight gain and physical growth |
| periorbital edema. The swollen eye muscles force the | | | | failure over an extended period of time in infancy. |
| eyeball to bulge out, causing difficulty in closing the | | | | Vomiting |
| eyelids completely. This results in irritation and dryness | | | | Diarrhea |
| of the eyes and corneal abrasions, as well as vision | | | | Infants with hyperactive thyroid usually recover within |
| difficulties. | | | | six months. Hyperthyroidism that continues can cause |
| Treatment: | | | | the cranial sutures to permanently fuse too early in |
| Children with hyperthyroidism are treated with an | | | | development, impaired intellect, growth failure, short |
| antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or complete | | | | stature, and hyperactivity. Acquired Graves' disease is |
| thyroid removal. In any event, patients are monitored | | | | marked by goiter, thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm), and |
| for the rest of their lives. Antithyroid medication | | | | infiltrative ophthalmopathy (resembles exophthalmos). |
| therapy is recommended in looking forward remission | | | | Diagnosis is achieved through thyroid function tests. |
| of Graves' disease, and discontinuation of thyroid | | | | Graves' disease, or hyperactive thyroid in infants is |
| medication. | | | | normally temporary due to the the infant's ability to |
| Antithyroid drugs offer possibility of permanent | | | | cast off the antibodies after they are born, however, |
| remission. | | | | Graves' disease is the primary cause of hyperactive |
| Radioiodine is a permanent cure for hyperthyroidism, | | | | thyroid in infants and children. |
| which causes hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid | | | | Infants are given an antithyroid medication, such as |
| replacement. | | | | propylthiouracil. Treatment is watched very closely and |
| Surgery, or removal of the thyroid may be the best | | | | discontinued as soon as the disease has been |
| option for fast method of resolving hyperactive thyroid | | | | resolved. Treatment for children and adolescents is |
| and prevents the risks involved with exposure to | | | | very much the same as it is for adults. |
| radiation. | | | | If you have a child who is showing signs and |
| Hyperthyroidism In Infants: | | | | symptoms of thyroid disease, consult your health care |
| This condition is rare, but life threatening for infants. | | | | professional as soon as possible. A delay in treatment |
| Women who are currently undergoing treatment, or | | | | can lead to unwanted complications and cause |
| who have a history of hyperactive thyroid and have | | | | needless suffering of a child who depends on you for |
| elevated titers of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins | | | | their safety and well being. |
| (TSI), risk fetal death or premature birth due to the | | | | |