Autoimmune thyroid disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Northwest Iran

OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in diabetic children in Northwest Iran. METHODS In a cross-sectional study from February 2006 to November 2007, serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyrotropin hormone were measured with ELISA method in 176 diabetic children (78 Male and 98 Female) at a mean age of 8.3 +/- 3.7 and mean diabetes duration of 1.6 +/- 2.5 years, who were referred to the Pediatric-Endocrinology Clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. RESULTS Autoimmune thyroid disease was found in 12% of patients (8.6% female, and 3.4% male). Significant levels were found for anti-thyroid peroxidase (10.2%), anti-thyroglobulin (8%), and both antibodies (6.3%) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that autoimmune thyroid disease in Iranian children, and adolescents with type 1 diabetes has a medium prevalence rate compared with those of other countries. The disease is more common in female, and older diabetic patients.