Comparative study of Thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone level in growing children of rural and urban areas of district Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan

Objective: To measure thyroid hormones T3, T4 and TSH in growing children of rural and urban areas of District Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan. Methodology: This retrospective observational study of rural and urban children with 6, 9 and 12 years age and suspected to have abnormality in thyroid hormones was carried out. A total of 72 blood samples of children (male 36 and female 36) were collected, and hormonal levels were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay and compared with standard values. Results: In rural boys of all ages were T3, T4 and TSH were higher in 44%, 17%, 33%, respectively. In rural females, levels of T3, T4 and TSH were high in 28%, 39% and 44%, respectively. Normal hormonal range was found in urban boys. In contrast, urban females showed elevated hormonal level with T3, T4 and TSH in 17%, 05% and 17%, respectively. The significant difference (p≤0.05) in hormonal levels was found between rural and urban status, whereas, no gender difference was observed (p>0.05). Age showed significant association (p≤0.05) with T4 and TSH, while T3 showed no significant association (p>0.05). Conclusion: The abnormal hormonal level among children found in this study suggests the regular testing of suspected children.