Normal volume of the thyroid gland in children

Abstract

This study has attempted to establish normal values for the pediatric thyroid gland volume. The real-time ultrasound images of the thyroid gland in 300 healthy children were prospectively analyzed to determine the normal thyroid gland volume. The volume was calculated assuming each lobe of the thyroid gland to be a prolate ellipsoid. The thyroid gland volume was correlated with height, weight, body surface area, and age. Mean thyroid gland volume as a function of height was obtained. No significant difference was observed between males and females in each height group.