[Hypothyroidism acquired in childhood. Apropos of case].

Authors present a patient who, when three years old, was studied because of weight and psychic retardation. Physical data were as following: weight, 9.9 Kg (less than 93); height, 90 cm (P 10-25); head circumference, 43,5 cm (less than P3); bone age, 2 3/12 years, and the thyroid function, normal. I131 uptake, 43.5% after 24 h. TBI: T3 index, 1.07; T4, 7.7 gamma %. FT4 index, 7.2. Thyroid scan, normal. Diagnosis was: intrauterine dwarfism and iron-deficiency anemia. At 6 6/12 years old, he had measles and at this time his mother noted rapid weight gain, decrease in the grow rate, besides a coarse, cold skin and constipation, that did-not previously exist. Thyroid study showed typical primary hypothyroidism: I131 uptake, 14% after 24 h. TBI: T3 index, 1.2; T4, 1.2 micrograms/100. TSH in the test of TRH of 165 micro U/ml base and 245 maximum. Anti-thyroidal antibodies were negative. In view of the time coincidence, authors speculate that measles virus is perhaps the aetiologic agent of the hypothyroidism either directly or through an autoimmune reaction.