Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Juan Pablo Hayes Dorado, Rossell M, Vaca M, Justiniano G, Landivar Z and Urioste G
Hospital Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
Introduction: Nutritional marasmus is still prevalent in developing countries. Disorders of thyroid function have been reported in patients with marasmus. Aim: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the levels of thyroid hormones in infants diagnosed with marasmus at the time of diagnosis and after reaching a normal weight for age and sex. Materials & Methods: Prospective study of patients from one to 11 months of age was diagnosed with nutritional marasmus. Plasma levels of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were determined at the time of diagnosis and after reaching normal weight for age and sex, when properly fed. Results: We studied 47 patients with nutritional marasmus; 41 (87% of the total) had altered thyroid function at the time of diagnosis: in 29 (71% of those affected), there were low T3 values, with T4 levels being normal; 12 (29%) showed low values of T3 and T4. TSH levels were normal in this group of patients. Values of T3 and T4 were normalized when patients reached a weight adequate for age and sex. Discussion: The alterations of the thyroid function observed in infants with nutritional marasmus (the decrease in T3 and T4 levels were evidenced), do not require replacement therapy with thyroid hormone, since, once the patients reach the adequate weight for the age and sex, the thyroid profile normalizes.
Juan Pablo Hayes Dorado is Graduated from San Francisco Xavier University in Chuquisaca, Bolivia. He did a Residency in Pediatrics at Santa Cruz Hospital, Bolivia. Studies in Pediatric Endocrinology at Hospital de Clinicas. University of Sao Paulo. Brazil. Member of the Bolivian Society of Pediatrics and the Latin American Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. He works as a Pediatric Endocrinologist and Professor of Pediatrics at Santa Cruz Hospital, Bolivia. Editor of the Journal of Crucena Society of Pediatrics and Coeditor of the Journal of Bolivian Society of Pediatrics. Author of several articles in various national and international journals.