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. 2024 Apr 18;50(1):72.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01639-4.

Prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis among children with autoimmune hepatitis

Engy Adel Mogahed  1 , Hend M Soliman  1 , Dalia Saber Morgan  2 , Hoda Mohammed Abd Elaal  2 , Rasha Abd El Razek Mahmoud Khattab  3 , Ragaey A Eid  4 , Mahmoud Hodeib  5
Affiliations

Prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis among children with autoimmune hepatitis

Engy Adel Mogahed et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an organ specific autoimmune disease, which can manifest at any age of life. there is a high prevalence of extrahepatic autoimmune diseases in patients with AIH. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) are the most frequent extrahepatic autoimmune disorders among patients with AIH. Aim of work is to detect the frequency of ATDs among Egyptian children with AIH.

Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study conducted on 58 children with AIH aged ≤ 18 years. All patients were tested for free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-TG). Thyroid ultrasound (US) and thyroid scan were performed for patients with abnormal thyroid profile, borderline values, positive anti-TPO or anti-TG.

Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) for the age of the patients was 11.3 ± 4.5 years. Out of 58 patients of AIH, 28 patients (48.3%) had associated other autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune thyroiditis was the most common associated autoimmune disease being present in 10 patients (17.2%). The thyroid status of AIT patients showed that 6 patients (60%) were euthyroid, 3 patients (30%) had subclinical hypothyroidism and only one patient (10%) was hyperthyroid.

Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis in Egyptian children is commonly associated with other autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common to be associated with AIH in pediatric patients. As it is not usually clinically manifesting, regular screening for AIT in children with AIH is mandatory.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Autoimmune hepatitis; Autoimmune thyroiditis; Children.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Frequency of patients with thyroid abnormalities, autoimmune thyroiditis and their thyroid status in children with autoimmune hepatitis. AIH: Autoimmune hepatitis, AIT: Autoimmune thyroiditis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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