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Non-thyroidal Illness Syndrome

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Pediatric Endocrinology

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Non-thyroidal illness is the term used to describe the changes in thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with acute illness not caused by an intrinsic abnormality of thyroid function. In children, non-thyroidal illness is most commonly seen in acutely ill patients admitted to pediatric or neonatal intensive care units (ICUs). The characteristic decrease in thyroid hormone levels also can be seen with starvation, trauma, or surgical procedures. Non-thyroidal illness probably occurs with any severe illness, and the pattern of changes in thyroid hormones correlates with the severity of illness. Typically, the first changes are a decrease in serum triiodothyronine (T3) and a rise in reverse T3 (rT3) levels. This disorder has been referred to as the low-T3 syndrome or the euthyroid sick syndrome. However, as there is disagreement about whether patients truly are “euthyroid,” non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is the term preferred at present.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics [CDRCP], Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, 707 SW Gaines St., Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Lisa D. Madison M.D. & Stephen H. LaFranchi M.D.

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  1. Lisa D. Madison M.D.
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  2. Stephen H. LaFranchi M.D.
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Correspondence to Stephen H. LaFranchi M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, 21287, Maryland, USA

    Sally Radovick

  2. , Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant St., Buffalo, 14222, New York, USA

    Margaret H. MacGillivray

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Madison, L.D., LaFranchi, S.H. (2013). Non-thyroidal Illness Syndrome. In: Radovick, S., MacGillivray, M. (eds) Pediatric Endocrinology. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-395-4_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-395-4_17

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