Thyroid dysfunction in Congolese subjects with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to assess the proportion and the pattern of thyroid dysfunction in a population of Congolese subjects with Down Syndrome. Methods: A total of 34 subjects with Down syndrome were recruited from Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo). Thyroid morphology was assessed by sonography. Serum T3, T4, FT4, TSH, Thyroglobulin, Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were measured. Results: The mean age of the patients was 13 years (range: 3 and 47 years). Of 34 Down syndrome subjects, 6 cases (17.6%) were found to have subclinical hypothyroidism. No patient had hyperthyroidism. Among 29 subjects with a thyroid ultrasound imaging, 25 patients (86.2%) were found to have morphological abnormalities of the gland. Regarding thyroid autoantibodies, TPOAb was positive in 1 case (2.9%) and TgAb was positive in 1 case (2.9%). Conclusion: The results were compared between patients with hypothyroidism and with normal thyroid function. There was no statistical difference in terms of age, sex, nutritional status, antibody levels and thyroid volume between these two groups. Conclusions: In our series, the proportion of hypothyroidism is relatively important but it remains largely under the prevalence reported in international studies.