A case of kwashiorkor in a child with congenital hypothyroidism

  • Helena Aneke Tangkilisan Department of Child Health, Sam Ratulangi University Medical School/Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado
  • Teguh Wijayanto Department of Child Health, Sam Ratulangi University Medical School/Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado
  • Sugianto Wiriadinata Department of Child Health, Sam Ratulangi University Medical School/Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado
Keywords: congenital hypothyroidism, kwashiorkor, delay in diagnosis

Abstract

A 12-year-old Indonesian girl with the body weight of 9.8 kg and length 78 cm was admitted to the Department of Child Health, Manado General Hospital with kwashiorkor and congenital hypothyroidism. The main complaint was edema starting 3 weeks before admission. Physical examination showed body weight for age (BW/A) 14.3%, body weight for body length (BW/BL) 66.0% and body length for age (BL/A) 49.1%. On admission she looked severely ill, apathetic, with hypothermia and hypotonia. Almost all signs and symptoms of kwashiorkor and congenital hypothyroidism were found accompanied bronchopneumonia and dermatologic problems. Laboratory findings showed severe anemia, leukocytosis, hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, elevated thyroid stimulating hormone and low level of Thyroxine-4. Bone age equaled to a newborn baby bone age. There was no thyroid tissue on thyroid ultrasound examination. The patient was treated for severe protein energy malnutrition and ThyraxR. Problems of kwashiorkor could been solved well but not with the congenital hypothyroidism. She was discharged from hospital after 2 months treatment and till now at 14th year of age with her developmental milestones equals to that of 8 month old baby.

References

1. Waterlow JC. Protein energy malnutrition; New ed. London: 1992;1-13.
2. Depkes RI. Pedoman tatalaksana kekurangan energi protein pada anak di rumah sakit kabupaten / kodya. Jakarta: Departemen Kesehatan RI; 2000.
3. Toft AD. Thyroxine therapy. N Engl J Med 1994;331:174-80.
4. Fisher DA. Management of congenital hypothyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1991;72: 523-9.
5. Kaniawati M. Pemeriksaan TSH generasi ketiga. Informasi Laboratorium Prodia 1994;2:3-4.
6. Neumann CG, Lawlor GJ, Stiehm ER, Swenseid ME, Newton C, Herbert J, et al. Imunologic responses in malnourished children. Am J Clin Nutr 1975;28:89- 104.
7. LaFranchi SH. Hypothyroidism, congenital and acquired. In: Kaplan SA, ed. Clinical pediatrics and adolescent endocrinology. Philadelphia; 1982. p. 82-95.
Published
2001-12-31
How to Cite
1.
Tangkilisan H, Wijayanto T, Wiriadinata S. A case of kwashiorkor in a child with congenital hypothyroidism. PI [Internet]. 31Dec.2001 [cited 25Apr.2024];41(11-12):305-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/1048
Section
Case Report
Received 2016-11-17
Accepted 2016-11-17
Published 2001-12-31