Abstract
Objectives To determine association between primary
hypothyroidism and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity
in children.
Design and Setting Prospective study of patients seen
at university paediatric unit, Galle for a period of 4
years starting from January 1998.
Method Primary hypothyroidism was confirmed by
presence of elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone
and low thyroxine for age. All newly diagnosed patients
with primary hypothyroidism were tested for serum CK
activity. Levels were compared with serum CK activity
in normal euthyroid children. Serum CK levels were
repeated 6 weeks after starting thyroxine therapy.
Results 19 children presented with primary
hypothyroidism during study period. All had elevated
serum CK levels. 2 patients showed clinical evidence
of muscular hypertrophy. There were 7 neonates with
congenital hypothyroidism.
Conclusions: Elevated levels of CK activity were
seen in all children with untreated primary
hypothyroidism in this series. CK activity became
normal 4-6 weeks after starting therapy. Hence
elevated serum CK could be used as an indicator for
diagnosis of untreated hypothyroidism or to assess
adequacy of therapy in primary hypothyroidism.
Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2004; 33: 106-7
(Key words: Creatine kinase, primary hypothyroidism, Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome)
doi: 10.4038/sljch.v33i4.620
Published on
08 Jul 2009.
Peer Reviewed