Interpretation of thyroid function in children

Thyroid dysfunction can affect individuals during the newborn period, infancy and throughout childhood and adolescence. Inadequate treatment of thyroid hormone imbalances may have serious detrimental effects on neurodevelopment, growth, puberty and general well-being. Optimizing the management of a child with thyroid dysfunction requires knowledge of thyroid hormone homeostasis, an understanding of the range of tests available to the clinician and an ability to interpret biochemical abnormalities in the context of the child’s clinical thyroid status and age.