What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in babies?
In recent years, the incidence of hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) in infants and young children has increased, causing widespread concern among parents. Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormone. If not treated in time, it may have a serious impact on the growth and development of the baby. This article will introduce in detail the symptoms, causes and treatment methods of hyperthyroidism in babies to help parents better identify and deal with this problem.
1. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in babies

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism in babies are different from those in adults. Parents need to pay special attention to the following symptoms:
| Symptoms | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| weight loss | Despite increased appetite, weight loss instead of gain |
| tachycardia | Heart rate increases significantly in resting state |
| Sweating | Sweating easily, especially when breastfeeding or exercising |
| irritable | The baby appears restless and cries more |
| proptosis | Some children will have symptoms of exophthalmos |
| goiter | An enlarged thyroid gland is visible or palpable in the neck |
2. Analysis of the causes of hyperthyroidism in babies
There are various causes of hyperthyroidism in babies, mainly including the following conditions:
| Cause type | Description |
|---|---|
| Maternal Graves' disease | The mother has Graves' disease and the antibodies cross the placenta and affect the fetus |
| congenital hyperthyroidism | Mutations in genes that regulate thyroid hormone secretion |
| Thyroid nodules | Abnormal growth of thyroid tissue |
| Pituitary disease | Pituitary gland secretes too much thyroid-stimulating hormone |
3. Diagnosis method of hyperthyroidism in babies
If you suspect that your baby may have hyperthyroidism, you should seek professional medical examination promptly:
| Check items | Check content |
|---|---|
| Thyroid function test | Detect TSH, FT3, FT4 and other indicators |
| Thyroid ultrasound | Observe thyroid size and structure |
| Thyroid antibody test | Detect antibodies such as TRAb and TPOAb |
| Electrocardiogram | Assess cardiac functional status |
4. Treatment plan for hyperthyroidism in babies
The treatment of hyperthyroidism in babies requires a personalized plan based on the specific situation:
| Treatment | Specific measures |
|---|---|
| drug treatment | When using antithyroid drugs, you must strictly follow your doctor’s instructions |
| surgical treatment | Severe cases may require partial thyroidectomy |
| radioactive iodine therapy | Suitable for specific cases and requires careful evaluation |
| supportive care | Including nutritional support, heart rate control, etc. |
5. Notes for parents
1. Regular monitoring: Thyroid function needs to be reviewed regularly during treatment.
2. Observe side effects: Pay attention to possible side effects caused by drugs
3. Nutritional support: ensure adequate caloric and nutrient intake
4. Avoid iodine overdose: control the intake of iodine-containing foods
5. Psychological care: Give your baby more comfort and care
6. Prognosis and Prevention
Most babies with hyperthyroidism can achieve good results through standardized treatment, but long-term follow-up is required. For pregnant women with a family history, prenatal examination and newborn screening should be done. If breastfeeding mothers suffer from hyperthyroidism, they should take medication under the guidance of a doctor.
In short, early detection and timely treatment are the keys to improving the prognosis of hyperthyroidism in babies. If parents find that their baby has symptoms suspected of hyperthyroidism, they should seek medical treatment immediately and do not delay treatment.
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