The natural history and prognostic factors of Graves' disease in Korean children and adolescents

• Main Authors: Seung Min Song, Ji-Seok Youn, Jung Min Ko, Chong Kun Cheon, Jin-Ho Choi, Han Wook Yoo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Pediatric Society 2010-04-01
• Series: Korean Journal of Pediatrics
• Online Access: http://www.kjp.or.kr/upload/2010530419-20100615185815.PDF

Purpose : Graves&apos&#59; disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. In this study, we investigated the natural course and the prognostic factors of Graves&apos&#59; disease in Korean children and adolescents. Methods : One-hundred thirteen (88 girls and 25 boys) patients were included in this study. A retrospective analysis was made of all patients who were diagnosed with Graves&apos&#59; disease. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed: patient&apos&#59;s sex, age at diagnosis, duration of disease, laboratory findings, symptoms and signs, and family history of autoimmune thyroid disease. Results : All patients were initially treated with antithyroid drugs, either methimazole (93.8%) or propylthiouracil (6.2%). Antithyroid drugs had been discontinued in 75 (66.4%) of 113 patients. Of these 75 patients, 23 (20.4%) relapsed after 25.5¡?#?3.7; months. Thirteen (11.5%) of 23 patients, who experienced the first relapse, showed a second remission. However, 2 (1.8%) of 13 patients relapsed again. Euthyroid state could not be achieved by antithyroid drugs in 1 patient, and radioactive iodine therapy was performed. The older the patient at diagnosis, the greater the likelihood of remission (P =0.034). Conclusion : Age at diagnosis seems to be a prognostic factor in Korean children and adolescents with Graves&apos&#59; disease, and should be taken into account in treatment plan determination.