title: Hashimoto's encephalopathy in children and adolescents.
abstract: Hashimoto's encephalopathy is an underdiagnosed, steroid-responsive, progressive or relapsing encephalopathy associated with high titers of serum antithyroid antibodies. Although Hashimoto's encephalopathy is well documented in adults, it is rarely observed or studied in children and adolescents. We describe the clinical and laboratory findings of four children (aged 9-15 years) with Hashimoto's encephalopathy. The clinical features of two patients at presentation included epileptic seizures and confusion. The other presenting signs included breath-holding spells, behavioral problems, psychosis, and ataxia (one patient each). During their presentation, three patients were euthyroid, and one was hyperthyroid. All patients manifested increased antithyroid antibodies, and all improved with steroid treatment. Hashimoto's encephalopathy is rarely suspected at presentation. Therefore, greater awareness of its signs by clinicians is necessary for proper diagnoses.
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey. ilknur_erol@yahoo.com
authors: Ilknur
authors: I
authors: Erol
authors: Semra
authors: S
authors: Saygi
authors: Füsun
authors: F
authors: Alehan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004660:Encephalitis; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D008775:Methylprednisolone