The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ located in front of the trachea. It is an important gland that regulates the body’s metabolism. Therefore, if a child has a thyroid disorder, his or her physical and mental development, among other things, will be disturbed, thus affecting the child’s health and normal growth and development. Parents should be aware of the signs, symptoms and treatment of thyroid disorders as it is important to avoid compromising the health of their children. What is abnormal thyroid function? The thyroid is one of the larger glands in the body and its main function is to synthesize thyroxine. If a child’s thyroid is impaired, it produces less thyroid hormone, resulting in “hypothyroidism”. People with hypothyroidism have a slower energy expenditure and a slower metabolic rate. On the other hand, if the thyroid gland is functioning well, it releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, causing “hyperthyroidism”, which speeds up the body’s metabolic processes. In both children and adults, hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism in children Hypothyroidism in children can be caused by a lack of a functioning thyroid gland at birth (congenital hypothyroidism) or by acquired factors such as too little iodine in the diet (goiter), autoimmune disorders, or damage to the thyroid gland. The clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism in children depend on the age of the patient and the time of onset of the disease. Congenital hypothyroidism: 1) in the neonatal period, there is little crying, little movement, poor feeding, abdominal distension, constipation, prolongation of physiological jaundice, and even hypothermia, cold limbs, and low response to the outside world; 2) typical facial features: large head, short neck, pale yellow face, puffy eyelids, wide eye spacing, flat nose, large, wide tongue, and often protruding out of the mouth; 3) short stature, slowed or even stagnant growth, and a long trunk and short limbs; 4) indifferent expression and short limbs. 4) apathetic expression, slow reaction time, decreased academic performance; 5) slow heart rate, anemia is difficult to correct; appear tired/lack of energy, slightly older children’s bones and teeth growth stagnation. School-age children experience learning disabilities and delayed puberty. Hypothyroidism in female adolescents may lead to irregular menstruation. Blood tests and X-rays of the hands and wrists (and knees in infants) are used to determine whether a child has hypothyroidism and how severe the condition is. X-rays show growth and whether there is a delay in bone age. Treatment is aimed at replacing the lack of thyroid hormones in the body. The recommended medication is levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, as in adults, but the dose should be matched to the child’s weight and individual needs. Hyperthyroidism in Children Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) in children can be due to a variety of causes; in adolescents, Graves’ disease is much more common and, as with other thyroid abnormalities, affects more girls than boys. Because the progression of Graves’ disease in children is often slow, recognizing the disease in time can be difficult. The more common symptoms include changes in behavior and school performance, sleep disturbances, restlessness/anger, and temper tantrums, which should be noted. Other clinical manifestations include easy-to-see goiter, hand tremors, increased appetite but weight loss, diarrhea, and typical eye protrusion and gaze. Girls with hyperthyroidism after puberty often experience decreased menstrual flow, scanty menstruation, or amenorrhea. The goal of treating hyperthyroidism in children is to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood. Surgery is recommended when side effects occur with antithyroid medication. Unlike adults, radioactive iodine therapy is not recommended for children with hyperthyroidism because the long-term effects of this treatment in children and adolescents are unknown. Various treatments that are effective in adults are equally effective in children, which is good news for parents of affected children. Children diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction need the support of their families to ensure that medication is administered on a daily basis and that the child is properly cared for. Keeping the child’s school informed about the child’s diagnosis and medication can also be very helpful.