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Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024

Received: 30 October 2025     Accepted: 10 November 2025     Published: 31 December 2025
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Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of thyroid disorders in the pediatric population in Senegal is poorly known. The aim of our study was to contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of these conditions in our setting. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a 30-month period. All patients aged 0 to 17 years followed for thyroid disorders were included. Data were collected using a survey form, entered in Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed with EPI Info version 7.1. Results: We collected data on 125 patients. Thyroid dysfunctions accounted for 62.8% of patients followed for endocrine disorders (excluding diabetes). The majority were female (68.8%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.9 years. Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis (81.6%) with a female predominance (67.6%). A neonatal form was observed in 4%. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.88 years. Goiter was the most frequent sign (89.1%). TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) were positive in most patients (96.3%). Congenital hypothyroidism had a prevalence of 5.6%, with a mean age at diagnosis of 1.82 years. Three-quarters (75%) of patients had psychomotor developmental delay. Umbilical hernia was the most frequent sign (57.14%) in congenital hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was used at an average dose of 6.9 µg/kg/day. Persistent hypothyroidism was found in 80% of cases. Other thyroid conditions included Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (4%), thyroid nodules (4%), and one case of subacute thyroiditis. Conclusion: Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and structured follow-up to prevent long-term complications.

Published in American Journal of Pediatrics (Volume 11, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18
Page(s) 253-257
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Thyroid, Children, Senegal

References
[1] Wemeau J-L. Thyroid Deseases. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2022.
[2] Leger J, Larroque B, Norton J. Influence of the severity of congenital hypothyroidism and adequacy of treatment on school achievement at 8 years of age: a prospective study of 82 children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001; 86(2): 561–7..
[3] Ryndak-Swiercz A. Ontogenesis, anatomy, histology and physiology of the thyroid gland. In: Thyroid Deseases,: Elsevier; 2010. p. 3-11.
[4] El Ghissassi N, Daoudi A, Gaouzi A. Graves’ disease in children: clinical, evolutionary, and therapeutic aspects. Ann Endocrinol. 2012; 73: 306-35.
[5] Folope V, Kuhn J. Severe adverse effects of non-substitutive medical treatments for endocrine and metabolic disorders: identification and practical management. Metabolism Hormones, Diabetes and Nutrition. 2005; 9: 143.
[6] Mariko M, Traore B, Sow DS, et al. [Dysthyroidism in children and adolescents at the Mali hospital]. Mali Med. 2020; 35(1): 56-61.
[7] Bhadada S, Bhansali A, Velayutham P, et al. Juvenile hyperthyroidism: an experience. Indian Pediatr. 2006; 43(4): 301-7.
[8] Abodo J, Kelie E, Dago PK, et al. Profile of thyroid pathologies in sub-Saharan Africa: about 503 cases. Ann Endocrinol, 2016: Elsevier.
[9] Boiko J, Leger J, Raux-Demay MC, et al. Graves’ disease in children: clinical and evolutionary features. Arch Pediatr. 1998; 5(7): 722–30.
[10] Diagne N, Faye A, Ndao AC, et al. [Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutive aspects of Basedow-Graves disease in the Depatment of Internal Medicine at CHU Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar (Senegal)]. Pan Afr Med J. 2016; 25: 6.
[11] Toublanc J. Thyroid diseases in children (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and cancer). EMC–Pediatrics. 2007; 4–105.
[12] Kaguelidou F, Alberti C, Castanet M, et al. Predictors of autoimmune hyperthyroidism relapse in children after discontinuation of antithyroid drug treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008; 93(10): 3817-26.
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[14] Petignot S, Nyamugabo Munyere Nkana K, Valdes Socin Hg, et al. Neonatal hyperthyroidism: clinical features and therapeutic management. Rev Med Liège. 2013; 68(10).
[15] Niang B, Fall AL, Ba ID, et al. Congenital hypothyroidism in Dakar: about 28 cases. Pan Afr Med J. 2016; 25: 46.
[16] Bouree P, Ouedraogo S, Tapsoba T. Contribution of ultrasound to the diagnosis of thyroid diseases in Burkina Faso: about 54 cases. Medecine d’Afrique Noire. 2015.
[17] Selva KA, Mandel SH, Rien L, et al. Initial treatment dose of L-thyroxine in congenital hypothyroidism. J Pediatr. 2002; 141(6): 786-92.
[18] Bouferoua F, Ladjouz A, Zeroual Z, et al. Thyroiditis in children: growth and puberty. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2015; 76(4): 446–7.
[19] Oerbeck B, Sundet K, Kase BF, et al. Congenital hypothyroidism: influence of disease severity and L-thyroxine treatment on intellectual, motor, and school-associated outcomes in young adults. Pediatrics. 2003; 112(4): 923-30.
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    Mbaye, A., Sow, N. F., Kane, A., Diagne, G., Sow, A., et al. (2025). Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024. American Journal of Pediatrics, 11(4), 253-257. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18

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    ACS Style

    Mbaye, A.; Sow, N. F.; Kane, A.; Diagne, G.; Sow, A., et al. Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024. Am. J. Pediatr. 2025, 11(4), 253-257. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18

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    AMA Style

    Mbaye A, Sow NF, Kane A, Diagne G, Sow A, et al. Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024. Am J Pediatr. 2025;11(4):253-257. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18,
      author = {Aminata Mbaye and Ndeye Fatou Sow and Awa Kane and Guillaye Diagne and Amadou Sow and Djibril Boiro},
      title = {Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024},
      journal = {American Journal of Pediatrics},
      volume = {11},
      number = {4},
      pages = {253-257},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajp.20251104.18},
      abstract = {Introduction: The incidence of thyroid disorders in the pediatric population in Senegal is poorly known. The aim of our study was to contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of these conditions in our setting. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a 30-month period. All patients aged 0 to 17 years followed for thyroid disorders were included. Data were collected using a survey form, entered in Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed with EPI Info version 7.1. Results: We collected data on 125 patients. Thyroid dysfunctions accounted for 62.8% of patients followed for endocrine disorders (excluding diabetes). The majority were female (68.8%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.9 years. Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis (81.6%) with a female predominance (67.6%). A neonatal form was observed in 4%. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.88 years. Goiter was the most frequent sign (89.1%). TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) were positive in most patients (96.3%). Congenital hypothyroidism had a prevalence of 5.6%, with a mean age at diagnosis of 1.82 years. Three-quarters (75%) of patients had psychomotor developmental delay. Umbilical hernia was the most frequent sign (57.14%) in congenital hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was used at an average dose of 6.9 µg/kg/day. Persistent hypothyroidism was found in 80% of cases. Other thyroid conditions included Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (4%), thyroid nodules (4%), and one case of subacute thyroiditis. Conclusion: Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and structured follow-up to prevent long-term complications.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024
    AU  - Aminata Mbaye
    AU  - Ndeye Fatou Sow
    AU  - Awa Kane
    AU  - Guillaye Diagne
    AU  - Amadou Sow
    AU  - Djibril Boiro
    Y1  - 2025/12/31
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18
    T2  - American Journal of Pediatrics
    JF  - American Journal of Pediatrics
    JO  - American Journal of Pediatrics
    SP  - 253
    EP  - 257
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2472-0909
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20251104.18
    AB  - Introduction: The incidence of thyroid disorders in the pediatric population in Senegal is poorly known. The aim of our study was to contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of these conditions in our setting. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a 30-month period. All patients aged 0 to 17 years followed for thyroid disorders were included. Data were collected using a survey form, entered in Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed with EPI Info version 7.1. Results: We collected data on 125 patients. Thyroid dysfunctions accounted for 62.8% of patients followed for endocrine disorders (excluding diabetes). The majority were female (68.8%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.9 years. Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis (81.6%) with a female predominance (67.6%). A neonatal form was observed in 4%. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.88 years. Goiter was the most frequent sign (89.1%). TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) were positive in most patients (96.3%). Congenital hypothyroidism had a prevalence of 5.6%, with a mean age at diagnosis of 1.82 years. Three-quarters (75%) of patients had psychomotor developmental delay. Umbilical hernia was the most frequent sign (57.14%) in congenital hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was used at an average dose of 6.9 µg/kg/day. Persistent hypothyroidism was found in 80% of cases. Other thyroid conditions included Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (4%), thyroid nodules (4%), and one case of subacute thyroiditis. Conclusion: Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and structured follow-up to prevent long-term complications.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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