Thyroid Disorders in Children in a Resource-Limited Country: A Descriptive Study from 2019 to 2024

Introduction: The incidence of thyroid disorders in the pediatric population in Senegal is poorly known. The aim of our study was to contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of these conditions in our setting. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a 30-month period. All patients aged 0 to 17 years followed for thyroid disorders were included. Data were collected using a survey form, entered in Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed with EPI Info version 7.1. Results: We collected data on 125 patients. Thyroid dysfunctions accounted for 62.8% of patients followed for endocrine disorders (excluding diabetes). The majority were female (68.8%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.9 years. Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis (81.6%) with a female predominance (67.6%). A neonatal form was observed in 4%. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.88 years. Goiter was the most frequent sign (89.1%). TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) were positive in most patients (96.3%). Congenital hypothyroidism had a prevalence of 5.6%, with a mean age at diagnosis of 1.82 years. Three-quarters (75%) of patients had psychomotor developmental delay. Umbilical hernia was the most frequent sign (57.14%) in congenital hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was used at an average dose of 6.9 µg/kg/day. Persistent hypothyroidism was found in 80% of cases. Other thyroid conditions included Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (4%), thyroid nodules (4%), and one case of subacute thyroiditis. Conclusion: Graves' disease was the most common diagnosis. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and structured follow-up to prevent long-term complications.