Oxidative Status in Children With Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Oxidative Status in Children With Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Oxidative status in autoimmune thyroiditis was not investigated previously in children and
 adolescents. We investigated oxidant and antioxidant systems in a cohort of Egyptian children
 and adolescents with AIT to explore their relation with biomarkers of autoimmunity and
 thyroid function.
Methods: A case control study included 32 children with autoimmune thyroiditis and 32 healthy
 subjects with matching age and sex were included as a control group. Thorough history,
 examination, thyroid ultrasound, measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free
 thyroxine (FT4), as well as anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin
 antibody (TgAb) were done in addition to assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total
 antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels as an oxidative stress markers. Results: Overt
 hypothyroidism was detected in 23/32 while subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 9/32 of
 the studied patients. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly elevated while total
 antioxidant capacity levels were significantly decreased in autoimmune thyroiditis patients
 compared with healthy controls. The difference was more evident in patients with overt
 hypothyroidism than those with subclinical hypothyroidism. We also observed a significant
 positive correlation between anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies levels and age, TSH,
 malondialdehyde, thyroid volume and a negative correlation with total antioxidant capacity
 and thyroxine .

 Conclusions: The high serum malondialdehyde and lower total antioxidant capacity levels in
 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and the correlation of thyroid antibodies with
 biomarkers of oxidative stress may reflect the role of autoimmunity in the development of
 oxidative stress. Future studies are needed for evaluation of the antioxidant therapy for
 autoimmune thyroiditis patients.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Newly diagnosed AIT.

 -  Age >6 years <18 years.

 -  Iodine sufficient region.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Children on antioxidants or antithyroid drugs

 -  Cardiac, renal and hepatic disease.

 -  Children with other autoimmune and collagen diseases