Association of Thyroid Gland Volume, Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, and Anthropometric Variables in Euthyroid Prepubertal Children

Context and Objective: Few studies have focused on the interrelation between thyroid size, anthropometric variables, and IGF-I in adults, but such data are lacking for children. We have investigated thyroid gland volume and several hormonal and anthropometric variables in prepubertal children. Design and Participants: A total of 859 prepubertal euthyroid Danish children aged 4–9 yr underwent a thorough clinical investigation, including anthropometrical measurements and determination of TSH, thyroid hormones, autoantibodies, urinary iodine excretion, and thyroid volume (TV) by ultrasound. Longitudinal growth data from birth were available. Results: TV increased significantly with age (r = 0.487; P < 0.001). Mean TV ± sd for different age groups were as follows: 4 yr, 2.2 ± 1.4 ml; 5 yr, 2.5 ± 1.3 ml; 6 yr, 2.8 ± 1.3 ml; 7 yr, 3.2 ± 1.3 ml; 8 yr, 3.5 ± 1.3 ml; 9 yr, 3.7 ± 1.3 ml. We found a significant positive association between IGF-I and TV (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in multiple regression analyses, TSH (...