THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTHYROIDISM IN CHILDHOOD WITH THIOURACIL DRUGS

[摘要] During the past 10 years thiouracil and propylthiouracil have been used to treat all children with hyperthyroidism in the Harriet Lane Home Endocrine Clinic. Follow-ups are available on 16 children whose disease began before 13 years of age. Eight of this group are now in a period of prolonged remission; 4 have required subsequent surgery, and 4 are still under treatment. The occurrence of adolescence has not been found to induce a relapse in any child who was previously in remission.Reduction in the size of the goiter while the patient is receiving treatment has been found to be the best prognostic sign. The combined use of thyroid with antithyroid drugs has caused involution of the gland in those patients whose goiters remained large after treatment with propylthiouracil alone. The ultimate value of this combined treatment remains to be determined.It is recommended that surgery be reserved for those children who are sensitive to antithyroid drugs, who fail to co-operate or cannot be followed closely. In the remainder, treatment with antithyroid drugs should be continued until there is substantial reduction in the size of the gland. A period of 2 years of continuous therapy is suggested as the minimal period of treatment.

[学科分类] 儿科学