Which symptoms can occur in children with hyperthyroidism?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Infographic showing estimated lives saved by childhood vaccinations worldwide from 1974 to 2024, with syringe-shaped bars for each disease. Measles tops the list at 93.71 million lives saved, followed by tetanus, whooping cough, and others, for a total of 153.84 million lives saved. — childhood disease and disorder Vaccines and the estimates of lives saved over the period 1974–2024.

In children, hyperthyroidism—a condition characterized by the overactivity of the thyroid gland—is uncommon. When it does occur, affected children typically exhibit the following symptoms:12

Nervousness1
Irritability1
Hyperactivity1
Weight loss1

Additionally, children with this condition usually present with an enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a goitre. While hyperthyroidism in general can lead to broader systemic issues such as tachycardia, insomnia, and heat intolerance, the clinical presentation in pediatric cases is specifically noted for the behavioral and metabolic changes listed above. Treatment options for children include the use of drugs to suppress thyroid function or, in some instances, the surgical removal of most of the gland.123