Hypothyroidism in Children with Serous Otitis Media

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the co-existence and prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) and to determine the possible relationship between OME and hypothyroidism. Methods: The subject group consisted of 46 paediatric patients (26 boys, 20 girls), ranging in age from 4 to 14 years (mean age +/- SD 7.78 +/- 2.86 years), who were treated in the department of otorhinolaryngology for OME; the control group composed of 30 healthy children (20 boys, 10 girls), ranging in age from 3 to 14 years (mean age +/- SD 7.20 +/- 2.86 years). Triiodothyronine (Free T3), thyroxin (free T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values of 46 children who were treated for OME, in addition to 30 healthy children, were evaluated. Results: Seven patients (15.2%) in the OME group, and one patient (3.3%) in the control group had subclinical hypothyroidism marked only by serum TSH elevations. All of the children in this study, regardless of whether from the subject or control group, had normal serum free T3 and free T4 levels. There was no significant difference between subject and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant difference between subject and control groups in this study, further studies with larger patient groups are needed to investigate the role of hypothyroidism in the aetiology of OME.