Childhood Hypothyroidism in Iraq: A Retrospective Study

Hypothyroidism is one of the most frequently encountered endocrine diseases in childhood and the importance  of its early diagnosis and adequate treatment prevents developmental retardation and other sequelae of the condition. Materials and Methods: Over a ten year period, 45 children under 12 years with hypothyroidism were encountered an Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic for Children in Al-Kadhymia Teaching Hospital College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University Baghdad, Iraq, over the period from Jan. 1993-Jan.2003. Results: Five (11.1%) patients had Hashimoto thyroiditis and 40 (88.9%) were diagnosed with congenital primary hypothyroidism. Of the latter group 24(60%) from urban area and 16(40%) from rural area west of Baghdad. The female to male ratio was 1.6:1. A history of parental consanguinity was positive in 36(80%) of the patients and 30 (60.7%) had family history of hypothyroidism. Ten patients had dyshormonogenesis, 15 had aplastic thyroids, and 10 had ectopic tissue. Conclusion: Although much information on the overall prevalence of childhood hypothyroidism in Iraq, is not available, the first observation to be made is that this is not a rare disease in this country. A genetic explanation is suggested by the involvement of multiple siblings and the high ratio of consanguinity in the population.