Unusual pediatric co-morbility: autoimmune thyroiditis and cortico-resistant nephrotic syndrome in a 6-month-old Italian patient

• Main Authors: Urbano Flavia, Acquafredda Angelo, Aceto Gabriella, Penza Rosa, Cavallo Luciano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Pediatrics
• Subjects: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Nephrotic syndrome; Childhood
• Online Access: http://www.ijponline.net/content/38/1/57

<p>Abstract</p> <p>We report on a case of autoimmune thyroiditis in a 6-month-old patient with cortico-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Normal serum levels of thyroid hormons and thyroid-stimulating hormone were detected with high titers of circulant antithyroid antibodies and a dysomogeneous ultrasound appearance of the gland, typical of autoimmune thyroiditis. The research of maternal thyroid antibodies was negative. This is the first case of autoimmune thyroiditis found in such a young patient with pre-existing nephrotic syndrome ever described in literature. This association is random because nephrotic syndrome does not have an autoimmune pathogenesis and the genes involved in autoimmune thyroiditis are not related to those of nephrotic syndrome.</p>