Overview
Thyroid function in the neonatal period
- An estimated 1% of babies with Down syndrome have a raised TSH on newborn screening, but classical congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid dysgenesis is not common.
- Raised TSH should prompt further investigation, and consideration of treatment with thyroxine.
- Borderline thyroid dysfunction in the neonate may be transient, and when treatment is started in these cases , treatment should be stopped after the age of 2 years and thyroid function reassessed off treatment.
- At present there is no hard evidence to justify routinely treating infants with Down syndrome with thyroxine, if they have normal thyroid function.
Thyroid function beyond the neonatal period
- Thyroid dysfunction , mainly hypothyroidism occurs more commonly in people with Down syndrome at all ages, when compared with the general population.
- The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis increases with age in Down syndrome.
- Clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism may be unreliable in Down syndrome because of overlap with features commonly seen in the syndrome e.g. dry skin, thin hair and constipation.
- Screening for thyroid dysfunction is required throughout life.
- Capillary TSH testing is a practical reliable method. This can be done by fingerprick samples and on the same cards as used for newborn screening.
- Mild elevation of TSH with normal fT4 and no symptoms may not require treatment.
- Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism, but occurs more frequently than in the general population.
DSMIG Guidance
NEW GUIDELINES 2020
Thyroid Disorder in Children and Young People with Down Syndrome
Surveillance and when to initiate treatment
Appendices: Thyroid Disorder in Children and Young People with Down Syndrome
Thyroid Disorder In CYP With Down Syndrome Surveillance And When To Initiate Treatment April 2020
Powerpoint presentation (22.05.2020)
Flow charts
Ongoing Surveillance (from 4 6 Months Age)
Child Young Person With A Goitre
Marginally Abnormal Initial Venous Blood Testing Findings
Abnormal Initial Venous Blood Tests Requiring Immediate Action)
Audit tool (Excel file)
15.8.20 Blank Thyroid Audit Tool DSMiG
Last updated: October 2020
Presentations at DSMIG Meetings
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Additional Resources
Thyroid Disorder – Down’s syndrome association health series
Updated 2020
Book Chapter – Endocrine Disorders – Thyroid Disorder
Malcolm Donaldson and Kath Leyland
in Down Syndrome – Current Perspectives
Edited by Richard Newton , Shiela Puri and Liz Marder