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This is when your child might need thyroid surgery

While thyroid surgery in children is much less common than in adults, it carries important indications. The gland, which is located at the front of the neck, is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolic rate, growth and development. The thyroid essentially controls the way the body utilizes energy.

It is not uncommon for the thyroid to work improperly. According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Children who have a problem with their thyroid gland should be evaluated and treated by a team of specialists, including pediatric endocrinology and otolaryngology. While surgery is an option for some individuals and conditions, other thyroid conditions are well treated with medications.

Thyroid surgery may be appropriate when an individual develops thyroid nodules, a growth of cells that form a solid or fluid-filled lump within the thyroid. There is an increased risk of thyroid cancer in nodules found in children and adolescents compared to adults; however, even in children, most thyroid nodules are benign. Thyroid nodules are rare in children, more commonly affecting teenagers than younger children. They can also grow quite big, putting pressure on the esophagus and airway. Additionally, some medical conditions, such as Graves’ disease, require thyroid removal in children.

Thyroid surgery comes in different forms. Sometimes just half of the thyroid gland will need to be removed, known as hemithyroidectomy. In other instances, the entire gland will need to be removed (total thyroidectomy). When a child undergoes total thyroidectomy, he or she will require lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation. The surgery is done through a small horizontal incision in the neck. Recovery is typically a few days and may require monitoring of calcium levels, as the body’s calcium glands lie in close proximity to the thyroid.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of thyroid disease, speak with their pediatrician. This can include, but is not limited to, fatigue, irregular menstrual cycles, slowed growth or growth acceleration, difficulty concentrating, pain or tenderness in the front of the neck.