CREATINE METABOLISM IN HYPOTHYROID INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Abstract

In 1934¹ a detailed study of the creatine metabolism in 2 hypothyroid children was published. It was concluded that the physiologic creatinuria, which may be absent or markedly diminished in the hypothyroidism of childhood, is restored to levels observed for normal children by treatment with thyroid. The establishment and maintenance of the creatinuria of the cretins previously reported on appeared to be a finding of diagnostic value as well as a means of judging adequacy of therapy. Two groups of investigators have stated the belief that the effect of continuous administration of thyroid in increasing the creatine excretion of hypothyroid children is not long continued. Shorr, Richardson and Mansfield² have questioned the permanency of the restored creatinuria produced by uninterrupted thyroid therapy in the 2 hypothyroid children reported on in the aforementioned earlier paper.¹ They inferred that the observed creatinuria resulting from the thyroid therapy might be