Last modified: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Introduction : We report cerebellar calcification and seizures a rare presentation of hypothyroidism in a child with auto immune poly endocrine syndrome 3 A.Case report : A six year old girl with global developmental delay presented with polyuria and weight loss for two weeks and seizures six months prior . She had dysarthria, ataxia, proportionate short stature with bone age of three years and six months. Random blood sugar -369 mg/dL and urine ketones was positive. TSH was > 100 and Free T4 was low. Anti TPO antibody was 813.59IU/ml and anti GAD antibody was >2000IU/ml . Non-enhanced CT scan of the brain showed bilateral symmetrical calcification and mild atrophy of the cerebellar folia [Fig 1]. She was diagnosed to have Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 3A due to the presence of hypothyroidism and Type 1 diabetes mellitus.Discussion : Delay in diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism especially in the early childhood or post -natal period may present with neurological signs like developmental delay ,seizures, dysarthria, ataxia ,spasticity along with cerebellar atrophy and calcification. Hypothyroidism is known to cause calcification in the basal ganglia, subcortical areas and rarely in the cerebellar folia probably due to metabolic derangements . Low levels of thyroid hormones may contribute to epileptogenesis .Conclusion : Hypothyroidism being a treatable condition should be ruled out in any child presenting with symptoms like developmental delay, seizures, spasticity, cerebellar dysfunction with neuroimaging findings such as intracranial calcification and cerebellar atrophy.