The thyroid gland is an organ of the endocrine system, without which the normal functioning of the body of any person is impossible. If the child has problems with the thyroid gland, then in this case there is a risk of dementia, poor performance, problems with the cardiovascular system, bone apparatus and many other troubles. Such pathologies can lead to the fact that in the future the child will not be able to bear children properly, will suffer from nervousness and excess weight.
There are a huge number of reasons for the appearance of problems with the thyroid gland in children, but most often this happens against a background of iodine deficiency . To exclude the development of pathologies, it is worth learning more about this organ of the endocrine system, as well as about its normal functioning.
Norms of the thyroid gland in children
If we talk about how the volume of this endocrine organ should be, then in children under the age of 2 years, in its volume, it cannot exceed 0.84 ml. By six years, indicators grow to 2.9 ml. With the onset of adolescence, the fastest growth of the thyroid gland is observed. At the age of 13 to 15 years, the volume of the thyroid gland can be from 6.0 to 8.7 ml. By the age of 15 years, the volume of the thyroid gland in children can reach up to 11 ml. However, these figures apply only to boys.
In girls, the thyroid gland grows a little faster. By the age of 13, young women have a thyroid volume of up to 9.5 ml. Upon reaching the age of fifteen, this indicator increases to 12.4 ml.
If there is an increase in the norm of the thyroid gland in children, then this can be explained by the structural peculiarity of a particular child. If indicators begin to go beyond acceptable limits, then most often this indicates the development of a particular pathology. In this case, we can talk about both congenital diseases and acquired ailments. It is very important to identify problems in a timely manner and begin treatment.
First of all, it is necessary to diagnose and clarify the condition of the hormonal background of the child. Also, the doctor should conduct an examination of the structure and volume of the thyroid gland. If a child at a young age has pathologies of the endocrine system, then, as a rule, the forecasts of doctors are positive.
Stages of thyroid enlargement
If the thyroid gland in children is in a normal state, then its presence is almost impossible to determine by touch. However, there is such a thing as a classification of goiter. In this case, we are talking about three stages of growth of the endocrine gland:
- Zero stage. In this case, an organ enlargement is practically absent. With a visual examination, no changes are observed, but during palpation of the iron can be felt a little. Moreover, its value should not exceed the size of the thumbnail.
- First stage. In the process of palpation of the thyroid gland in children, a noticeable marked increase. However, the external goiter remains unchanged. The area in which the organ is located will be slightly swollen.
- Third stage. In this case, the thyroid gland grows so much that the change in its size becomes noticeable even with a visual examination, and it does not matter in which position the person holds his head. During palpation, the endocrine organ is very easily detected.
There is also another classification of goiter, which was created by Dr. O. V. Nikolaev. He identified a zero degree, in which it is also impossible to note any changes in the size of the thyroid gland in children. This is followed by the first stage. In this case, the gland is also almost invisible, but with palpation, you can feel some error in the dimensions of the thyroid gland. He also adds a second degree. In this case, the gland will be clearly visible by visual inspection. It is easily palpated, but in this case, the shape of the neck remains normal. In the third stage, the presence of pathology along the thickened neck can be easily determined. However, the patient will not complain of serious discomfort.
Also Nikolaev allocates the fourth stage, with the development of which the neck begins to deform quite strongly. At the same time, the thyroid gland is clearly visible on it. At the fifth stage, the goiter becomes huge. This leads to serious discomfort. The body ceases to function normally. It also negatively affects the digestive system and adjacent organs. Patients complain that they can not fully eat, suffer from changes in voice and increased shortness of breath.
How to determine the size of the thyroid gland?
If we are talking about thyroid disease in children, it is very important to periodically conduct an independent examination of the child in order to identify certain deviations. For example, you can try to conduct an independent palpation. To do this, you need to feel every part of the endocrine organ and try to determine its structure. However, to cope with this without minimal skills is very difficult. The fact that children have a thyroid disease can only be accurately said by an endocrinologist.
An ultrasound scan is recommended . According to the results of this procedure, it will be possible to say with higher accuracy about changes in the size of the thyroid gland. In some situations, radiography and computed tomography are performed. Such methods are considered the most highly informative.
Ultrasound scan
Using ultrasound, it is possible to determine with high accuracy the presence of pathology in the organ of the endocrine system. If the thyroid gland in children is normal, then in this case its shape will differ in smooth and clear contours. Even “not a doctor” will not notice any enlarged lymph nodes that are in close proximity to the endocrine organ. Also, studying the results of the study, the specialist draws attention to the dimensions of the parathyroid glands. Their size should be about 4 x 5 x 5 mm. If at least the slightest deviation is observed, then in this case the doctor will suspect the disease.
It is worth paying attention to the high echogenicity of this organ and its structure in a heterogeneous form. In this case, specialists most often suspect inflammation. The most alarming sign is seals. They may indicate that the child is suffering from a benign process or a malignant tumor.
If, thanks to an ultrasound scan, the doctor found that the thyroid gland really increased and exceeds the norm, then in this case he most often diagnoses organ hyperplasia, or the so-called diffuse toxic goiter. If there was a decrease in the thyroid gland, then hypothyroidism is diagnosed. This indicates that the thyroid gland is not functioning properly. If a specialist revealed hypothyroidism in children, then this indicates improper production of hormones.
Depending on the clinical picture and research results, the doctor may prescribe the appropriate treatment, which will help to cope with the problem faster.
Causes of possible pathologies
In order to understand the background of what a particular disease develops, it is first necessary to conduct a study and clarify the level of the three main hormones in the child's body. In this case, we are talking about thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. It is these hormones that are responsible for how quickly and efficiently all organs of the human body will form and grow.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone is the most important. It stimulates the thyroid gland. However, sometimes the production of this hormone fails. It is worth noting that the negative impact on the human body is exerted not only by the lack of certain components, but also by their excess. Therefore, doctors must check the level of thyroid hormones in children.
If we talk about the main reasons because of which children can have problems with the thyroid gland, then most often diseases appear against the backdrop of:
- bad ecology;
- the use of low-quality or genetically modified foods;
- iodine deficiency;
- development of cysts in the thyroid gland in children;
- failures in the work of the body's defense system;
- genetic predispositions;
- infectious diseases;
- viral infections;
- lack of selenium;
- injuries that the baby could get in the process of being born.
Thyroid problems in children: symptoms
In this case, the pathology appears identically, as in an adult. Parents of the baby must definitely pay attention to several obvious signs that the endocrine organ is malfunctioning. First of all, there is a violation of the heart. The rhythm becomes atypical. In order to determine this symptom, you can simply calculate the number of heart beats per minute. If parents note a pulse that is too fast or, conversely, slowed down, then you should immediately contact an endocrinologist and check the hormonal background of the child.
It is also worth taking a closer look at how the child looks and behaves. If he became lethargic, lethargic and began to speak slowly, then this may be a sign of problems. Many children have dry skin and frequent dermatitis. In some situations, such indicators also indicate poor-quality thyroid function.
Some children have a developmental delay. It becomes difficult for them to concentrate and learn. There is a feeling that the child cannot remember even the most basic things. If earlier there were no such problems, then it is quite possible that the time has come to visit the endocrinologist.
Hypothyroidism - a pathology due to a lack of hormones
In this case, the child’s body is deficient in hormones necessary for the full functioning of the thyroid gland. If this happens with a newborn, it is most likely to conclude that during pregnancy the baby's mother did not consume the required amount of iodine.
The danger of such a pathology is highest when it comes to a child under the age of 3 years. The fact is that during this period the baby begins to actively grow and develop mentally. If at such a moment he begins to suffer from such diseases, then this can adversely affect the whole process. After reaching the age of three, such pathologies are not able to lead to serious changes in the functioning of the central nervous system.
If a child suffers from congenital hypothyroidism, then, as a rule, he is born a little more weight than other babies. Often, childbirth is too long. Children may develop facial swelling or jaundice, which is difficult to treat. If immediate treatment is not started before the age of three, then after 3-5 months the baby will have complications. It will begin to develop worse. Unfortunately, if we are talking about congenital hypothyroidism, then in this case, treatment is not possible. The only way out of the situation is to take the missing hormones throughout the rest of your life to restore balance in the system.
Hyperthyroidism - a pathology due to an excess of hormones
In this case, the exact opposite situation occurs. In the process of diagnosis, the child has an increase in normal levels of hormones. As a rule, children in adolescence suffer from such pathologies. If we talk about symptoms, then the disease is very difficult to identify. And this period there are numerous changes in the behavior of a teenager. If the child is emotionally unstable or suffers from increased physical activity, then this is worth paying attention to. If a teenager behaves irritably, eats poorly and is inattentive, then in this case there is a likelihood of thyroid gland pathology development. Hyperthyroidism sometimes manifests itself in newborn babies. But, as a rule, it independently passes through several months. The later the child encountered this pathology, the more difficult it will be to treat.
Thyroiditis - an inflammatory disease
This pathology develops against the background of processes in the autoimmune system, when antibodies attacking the endocrine organ begin to be produced in the body. This leads to severe inflammation. The child may be predisposed to this pathology against the background of heredity. However, severe stress can also provoke thyroiditis, when the protective functions of the body begin to fail.
Nodules and tumors
Sometimes on the thyroid gland there are additional structures that differ from neighboring tissues in their density. Nodules in the thyroid gland in children can be a sign of both a benign and a malignant tumor.
If we talk about the main symptoms of the neoplasm, then it is worth paying attention to whether the child had problems swallowing. If he complains about the so-called lump in his throat, then he should visit a doctor.
Treatment
The sooner the doctor can identify the pathology, the more successful the therapy will be. As a rule, in the treatment of thyroid gland in children, first of all, drugs are used, which include iodine. The dosage of medicines and the schedule for their administration is developed by a doctor.
If a child is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, then in this case, hormonal drugs will be required. With hyperthyroidism, it is necessary to establish the work of the endocrine organ itself. With congenital pathologies, you can only stop unpleasant symptoms and prevent serious complications. It is not possible to completely cure the thyroid gland.
It is not worthwhile to carry out therapeutic measures at home without a preliminary examination by a specialist. Problems with the endocrine gland can quickly develop into a serious pathology. If the wrong treatment is prescribed, the child will lose precious time.