Diseases of children (pediatrics)

Pituitary nanism (hypopituitarism) in children

The metabolic effects of somatotropic hormone (STH) are complex and manifest themselves depending on the point of application. Growth hormone is the main hormone stimulating linear growth. It promotes bone growth in length, growth and differentiation of internal organs, and development of muscle tissue.

Hypercorticism in children

Hypercorticism is a syndrome caused by a constantly high level of glucocorticoids in the blood as a result of hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex. Dysplastic obesity is typical: a "moon-shaped" face, excess fat on the chest and abdomen with relatively thin limbs. Trophic changes in the skin develop (pink and purple striae on the thighs, abdomen, chest, dryness, thinning).

Adrenogenital syndrome in children

Congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex includes a group of hereditary enzymopathies. Each of the enzymopathies is based on a genetically determined defect of an enzyme involved in steroidogenesis. Defects of five enzymes involved in the synthesis of gluco- and mineralocorticoids have been described, with one or another variant of the drenogenital syndrome being formed.

Chronic adrenal insufficiency

Symptoms of chronic adrenal insufficiency are primarily caused by glucocorticoid deficiency. Congenital forms of hypocorticism manifest themselves in the first months of life. In autoimmune adrenalitis, the onset of the disease is more common after 6-7 years. Characteristic are lack of appetite, weight loss, decreased blood pressure, asthenia.

Chronic thyroiditis in children

Chronic non-specific thyroiditis includes autoimmune and fibrous thyroiditis. Fibrous thyroiditis is almost never seen in childhood. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common thyroid disease in children and adolescents. The disease is determined by an autoimmune mechanism, but the underlying immunological defect is unknown.

Nodular goiter in children

Nodular goiter is rarely diagnosed in children. Benign lesions that manifest as single nodes in the thyroid gland include benign adenoma, lymphocytic thyroiditis, thyroglossal duct cyst, ectopically located normal thyroid tissue, agenesis of one of the thyroid lobes with collateral hypertrophy, thyroid cyst, and abscess.

Endemic goiter in children

The most common manifestation of iodine deficiency is goiter. Goiter formation is a compensatory reaction aimed at maintaining homeostasis of thyroid hormones in the body.

Diffuse nontoxic goiter

Goiter is a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goiter occurs with various thyroid diseases and may be accompanied by clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis; often, symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are absent (euthyroidism). The presence of goiter in itself does not allow one to establish the cause of the disease.

Diffuse toxic goiter in children

Diffuse toxic goiter (synonyms: Graves' disease) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which thyroid-stimulating antibodies are produced. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies bind to TSH receptors on thyrocytes, activating the process normally triggered by TSH - the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Autonomous thyroid activity begins, which is not subject to central regulation.

Acquired hypothyroidism

Primary acquired hypothyroidism develops as a result of endemic iodine deficiency, autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid surgery, inflammatory and tumor diseases of the thyroid gland, uncontrolled therapy with antithyroid drugs for thyrotoxicosis.