A Rare Endocrinological Emergency in Children with Hypothyroidism: Clinical Evaluation of Cases Presenting with Myxedema Coma

Objective: Myxedema coma (MC) is a severe and rare clinical form of hypothyroidism that causes multiple organ failure and altered consciousness. The aim of reporting this case series is to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and outcomes in pediatric patients diagnosed with MC. Materials and

Methods: This article presents a case series of 8 patients diagnosed with MC between January 1, 2020, and October 31, 2024, at pediatric endocrinology department of the authors’ hospital. The clinical and laboratory data of the cases were obtained from the hospital records system, and the cases were scored using the diagnostic scoring system for MC.

Results: The mean age was 10.36 ± 3.56 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3. Four of the patients were diagnosed with hypothyroidism upon admission with MC, while the remaining 4 had a history of hypothyroidism but presented with MC due to non-compliance with treatment. The majority of patients presented with edema, rapid weight gain, lethargy, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism. Six patients had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 1 had thyroid hypoplasia, and 1 had thyroid aplasia. Laboratory tests revealed severely elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels. Six patients had elevated CK and myoglobin levels, indicating secondary rhabdomyolysis. Following levothyroxine (LT4) therapy, significant improvements were observed in muscle strength, thyroid function, and other clinical parameters. None of the patients required intensive care, and all recovered with 100% survival rate.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis and appropriate thyroid hormone replacement therapy are crucial for reversing the metabolic abnormalities and preventing life-threatening complications. This study highlights the importance of timely intervention and emphasizes the need for strict adherence to thyroid hormone therapy in children with hypothyroidism.

Cite this article as: Çetin K, Donbaloğlu Z, Bahar YF, et al. A rare endocrinological emergency in children with hypothyroidism: Clinical evaluation of cases presenting with myxedema coma. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2025;60(5):474-482.