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Pediatric Multinodular Goiter
What is Pediatric Multinodular Goiter?
A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. A multinodular goiter is made up of multiple thyroid nodules.
Risk Factors
Multinodular goiter is more common in girls than in boys. Other risk factors may include:
- A family history of thyroid nodules
- Previous radiation exposure to the head and neck
- Age (incidence increases with age)
- Other thyroid conditions
What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Multinodular Goiter?
Many children with multinodular goiter do not have any symptoms, so the goiter is initially discovered during a routine physical exam. For those who do have symptoms, they may include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Neck or throat pain
- Hoarseness
- Neck Mass / Swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
How is Pediatric Multinodular Goiter diagnosed?
There are several methods that are used for diagnosing multinodular goiter. Your doctor may use a combination of these methods:
- History and physical exam
- Blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels
- Ultrasound
- Radioactive iodine uptake test (a noninvasive test to determine how much radioactive iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland over a period of time)
- Fine needle biopsy (removal of a small amount of thyroid tissue using a thin needle; the tissue is later examined under a microscope.)
What are the causes of Pediatric Multinodular Goiter?
The exact cause of multinodular goiter is unknown. Possible contributors may include:
- Iron deficiency
- Other thyroid conditions (e.g., thyroiditis, Graves’ disease)
How is Pediatric Multinodular Goiter treated?
Treatment for multinodular goiter may include:
- “Watchful waiting:” monitoring your child’s condition, but no initial treatment
- Medications to regulate thyroid hormones
- Radioactive iodine: a liquid that is absorbed into the thyroid and reduces the size and activity of the nodules
- Surgery to remove the nodules (all or part of the thyroid gland may also need to be removed.)
Pediatric Multinodular Goiter Doctors and Providers
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Perrin White, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Soumya Adhikari, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Abha Choudhary, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Melissa Ham, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Muniza Mogri, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Sudha Mootha, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Nivedita Patni, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Amanda Shaw, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Ming Yang, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist -
Huay-Lin Lo, MD Pediatric Endocrinologist