Here’s how to determine whether or not your child has a thyroid. Children’s thyroid diseases are problems affecting the thyroid gland, a tiny but important gland in the neck.
The hormones that are produced by this butterfly-shaped gland are essential for development, growth, and general health.
Director of endocrinology and diabetes at Metro Hospital in Faridabad, Dr. Arun Kumar C. Singh, told IndiaToday.Thyroid diseases are less common in children than in adults, but they can affect growth and development, so it’s important to recognize the early warning signals.
Children’s thyroid diseases are problems affecting the thyroid gland, a tiny but important gland in the neck. The hormones that are produced by this butterfly-shaped gland are essential for development, growth, and general health.
Director of endocrinology and diabetes at Metro Hospital in Faridabad, Dr. Arun Kumar C. Singh, told IndiaToday.Thyroid diseases are less common in children than in adults, but they can affect growth and development, so it’s important to recognize the early warning signals.
Thyroid issues might be alarming, but they are manageable with the right medical treatment and support, according to Dr. Shreya Dubey, Consultant, Neonatology & Pediatrics, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon. What’s required are routine examinations and heeding your pediatrician’s instructions.
In addition to prescribing treatment, pediatricians typically use imaging, blood testing, and symptom checks to detect thyroid issues.
To maintain adequate thyroid function, dietary iodine intake is closely regulated and nutritional support is essential. Effective management requires cooperation between parents, endocrinologists, and pediatricians.
It is crucial to teach parents how to identify symptoms and follow treatment regimens. Understanding and compliance are promoted by age-appropriate conversations regarding the disease and regular follow-ups with the kids.
WAYS TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN’S THYROID PROBLEMS?
- Behavior Shifts: Pay attention to any abrupt changes in your anxiety, impatience, or mood.
- Weight Changes: Notable weight increase or decrease without a clear reason may be a symptom of a thyroid problem.
- Exhaustion: Even with enough sleep, unexplained lethargy or exhaustion may be a warning sign.
- Modifications to Bowel Habits: Thyroid problems may be indicated by constipation or diarrhea.
- Temperature Sensitivity: If a youngster exhibits unusually high or low temperature sensitivity, it may be a sign of a thyroid issue.
- Skin and Hair Changes: Thyroid problems may be associated with dry skin, hair loss, or changes in the texture of hair.
- Developmental Delays: Keep an eye out for any deviations from typical growth, puberty, or developmental benchmarks.
THYROID DISORDERS TESTS
It’s critical that parents get medical attention if they notice symptoms that are bothersome or persistent. Thyroid function tests, like as blood tests to measure thyroid hormone (T3, T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, can be performed by a pediatrician.
Under certain circumstances, an ultrasound or other imaging study may be advised to evaluate the anatomy of the thyroid gland.
