Sonographic measurement of thyroid volumes in healthy Chinese infants aged 0 to 12 months.

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were to determine thyroid volumes in healthy Chinese infants aged 0 to 12 months and to provide reference data for normal thyroid growth.

METHODS

A total of 408 healthy infants (229 male and 179 female) were enrolled in the study. The length, breadth, and depth of the thyroid gland were measured with sonography. The volume of each lobe was calculated by the correct ellipsoid formula (volume = length × breadth × depth × 0.479).

RESULTS

All of the infants' thyroids showed a normal uniform echo texture on sonography. The thyroid volume increased with age (r = 0.519; P < .001). Moreover, positive associations were noted between thyroid volume and height and weight (r = 0.517; P < . 001; r = 0.499; P < .001, respectively). No significant differences based on sex were found (t = 1.784; P = .075).

CONCLUSIONS

The thyroid volumes in these healthy Chinese infants varied from those reported in the published literature on healthy European infants. It is important to establish local reference ranges for thyroid volumes in healthy infants.