Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 13 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 578-582
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260460
The Relationship Between Thyroid Hormone Levels and Height in Children with Down Syndrome at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital, Padang
Neila Azka1,2, Eka Agustia Rini1,2, Didik Hariyanto1,2, Mayetti1,2, Eva Chundrayetti1,2, Anggia Perdana Harmen1,2, Rinang Mariko1,2
1Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
2Pediatric Division, Department of Mother and Child, M.Djamil Hospital, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Neila Azka
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypothyroidism and linear growth disorders are common health issues among children with Down syndrome. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in the process of linear growth through both direct and indirect mechanisms.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between hypothyroidism and height in children with Down syndrome.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing medical records data on thyroid hormone levels (FT4 and TSH) and height measurements of children with Down syndrome at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital in Padang from January 2023 to July 2025. Sampling was conducted using total sampling, and the data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05).
Results: Of the 40 subjects, 20% were hypothyroid and 80% were euthyroid. Normal height was observed in 65% of subjects, and short stature in 35% of subjects. Hypothyroid subjects with short stature showed a 50% higher frequency compared to euthyroid subjects with short stature 31.2%; however, after analyzing the relationship between height and thyroid hormone levels, a p-value of 0.416 was obtained, indicating no association between hypothyroidism and height in children with Down syndrome.
Conclusion: This study found no association between thyroid hormone levels and height in children with Down syndrome. Linear growth disorders in children with Down syndrome are multifactorial and not solely due to hypothyroidism.
Keywords: Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, height, linear growth
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