The impact of acquired hypothyroidism on the growth and metabolic profiles in pediatric patients: a retrospective monocentric study

Background: Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid dysfunction in childhood, resulting from the decreased biological activity of thyroid hormones in tissues. Pediatric patients with hypothyroidism, when left untreated or when thyroid hormone levels fail to normalize despite treatment, may exhibit various complications such as growth retardation, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia. Aim: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study to evaluate potential differences in obesity rates and auxological parameters between healthy patients and children with hypothyroidism undergoing levothyroxine replacement therapy. Additionally, we examined possible differences in lipid and glucose metabolism between the two groups. Materials and Methods: We collected and analyzed data from the electronic medical records of 108 patients who were regularly followed up for thyroid dysfunction at the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS from January 2016 to June 2024. We also included 104 healthy controls who underwent thyroid function testing during the same period, followed up in the same department for regular auxological check-ups. Results: Our findings revealed that patients with acquired hypothyroidism had a lower height z-score com-pared to healthy controls (t (210) = −2.6; p = 0.01). Additionally, they exhibited higher blood glucose and triglyceride levels, although these values remained within the normal range. Conclusions: We highlight the critical importance of the early diagnosis of hypothyroidism to initiate levothyroxine replacement therapy promptly and mitigate the long-term effects of hypothyroidism on children’s growth.