Thyroid Function Tests in Various Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pediatric patients and its association with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), growth development, blood pressure, and different treatment strategies. Methods: We assessed 51 children with CKD, with a mean age of 8.3 years, of whom 58.8% were boys. We evaluated their kidney function (serum creatinine and eGFR), thyroid hormones (TSH and free T4), blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Additionally, we reviewed their medical history, medications, and whether they were on dialysis or had received a kidney transplant. Statistical tests helped us compare thyroid function across different CKD stages and assess possible connections with other health factors. Results: Our findings revealed that 15.7% of the children had hypothyroidism, with a significantly higher prevalence among girls. Interestingly, thyroid hormone levels did not show significant fluctuations between the early and late stages of CKD. As expected, kidney function worsened with CKD progression, but thyroid problems did not appear to be directly linked to this decline. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between thyroid dysfunction and elevated blood pressure. Conclusions: Thyroid disturbances are common in children with CKD, especially in girls, but they don’t seem to worsen as kidney disease progresses. Since thyroid problems can affect growth and overall health, regular screening in these children, especially those at higher risk, may help catch and manage them early. More long-term studies are needed to better understand this relationship.