Functional status of thyroid among children with obesity

Objective: To assess the extent of subclinical hypothyroidism among obese children in our pediatric endocrinology clinic. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January-July 2017 at department of Pediatrics Endocrinology, NICH, Karachi. It included 193 obese children. Clinical history, patient demographics and laboratory results were recorded. Results: Patient’s mean age was 8.06±2.73 years. Out of 193 children, 109 were female and 84 male. Mean BMI, height, and weight were 26.89±3.65 kg/m2, 132.21±16.92 cm, and 48.02±14.96 kg, respectively. The mean Free T3, mean TSH level, and mean Free T4 was 309.32±117.23, 3.67±3.08, and 1.51±0.28, respectively. Out of 193 children, 35(18.13%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. An insignificant relationship of age, gender, and BMI was found with subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Children with obesity show different alterations related to thyroid function and thus attention is suggested when these patients are diagnosed.