Diseases accompanying congenital hypothyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Extrathyroidal abnormality incidence and especially the incidence of congenital cardiac disease are increased with congenital hypothyroidism. In this present study, it is aimed to evaluate patients who were being followed up for congenital hypothyroidism for accompanying diseases, and to compare impacts of accompanying diseases on prognosis under the light of published articles in the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 400 cases which were diagnosed with, treated and followed up for congenital hypothyroidism in our clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Cases with complaining symptoms and without any complaints, but were diagnosed with hypothyroidism as the result of screening tests were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS: Of 400 subjects included due to congenital hypothyroidism, 186 (46.5%) were girls and 214 (53.5%) were boys. Accompanying diseases were diagnosed in 113 cases (28.2%). Accompanying diseases according to the frequency order were congenital cardiac disease (n=32, 8.0%), Down syndrome (n=25, 6.3%), inguinal hernia (n=21, 5.30%), undescended testicles (n=8, 2.0%), GH deficiency (n=4, 1.0%), and some other systemic diseases (n=23, 5.8%). In cases accompanied by congenital cardiac diseases, ventricular septal defect (n=10), atrial septal defect (n=9), pulmonary stenosis (n=7), patent ductus arteriosis (n=7), and aortic coarctation (n=3) were detected.

CONCLUSION: In this present study, it was defined that approximately one third of patients with congenital hypothyroidism had an accompanying disease, and cardiac diseases were the most common problem. It is concluded that evaluation of congenital hypothyroidism cases for accompanying diseases, detailed cardiological examination being in the first order, is important for prognosis.