Pediatric Graves' disease: insights into clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To identify early manifestations of Graves' disease in young patients and its treatment outcomes.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

This was a hospital-based review of case records of 47 children (aged 1 month to 18 years) with Graves' disease from 2011 to 2022. Data were summarized and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

This study included 47 patients with Graves' disease, of whom 31 (66%) were girls. The average age at the initial diagnosis was 12.79 ± 3.75 years. Common presenting complaints included heat intolerance (76.6%), excessive sweating (74.5%), palpitations (68.1%), tremors (48.9%), weight loss (38.3%), increased appetite (34%), diarrhea (31.9%), and constipation (4.3%). The mean thyrotropin receptor antibody titer was 16.93 ± 13.47 IU/L. Remission was achieved in two (4.3%) patients treated with antithyroid drugs.

CONCLUSION

Graves' disease is the most common cause of juvenile hyperthyroidism, and treating physicians should be aware of its signs and symptoms to avoid treatment delays.