Medicina Fluminensis, Vol. 62 No. 1, 2026.
Studija slučaja
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2026_343569
Unrecognized Hypothyroidism As a Cause of Growth Failure – A Case Report
Valentina Ferenčić
orcid.org/0009-0008-4711-0801
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Istarske županije, Pula, Hrvatska
*
Marjeta Majer
orcid.org/0000-0001-5494-8719
; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Srećko Severinski
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za pedijatriju, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Nataša Dragaš-Zubalj
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Primorsko-goranske županije, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Ivona Butorac Ahel
orcid.org/0000-0002-7130-7574
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za pedijatriju, Rijeka, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Aim: To present a case of a girl whose unrecognized hypothyroidism led to growth failure. Case report: An eleven-year-old girl was referred for endocrinological evaluation due to suspicion of Turner syndrome. Upon analysing available anthropometric measurements, a stagnation in growth during the last four years was determined. During this period, the girl grew 5 cm in height. The mother reported noticing the girl's fatigue. Clinical examination revealed coarse facial features and periorbital edema. Typical features of Turner syndrome were not observed. Further medical evaluation confirmed hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis as the cause of growth failure. Substitution therapy with levothyroxine was initiated and gradually titrated until euthyroidism was achieved. Six months after the initiation of substitution therapy, growth acceleration and a gradual approach to the target values of body height according to genetic potential was observed. Conclusion: Careful monitoring of growth enables early detection of growth disorders and their underlying causes, as well as administration of appropriate treatment. Undiagnosed and late recognized hypothyroidism can significantly impact the growth of children and adolescents.
Ključne riječi
autoimmune thyroiditis; hypothyroidism; growth disorders
Hrčak ID:
343569
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.3.2026.
Posjeta: 271 *