Abstract

Background: Thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) play a central role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis of Graves’ disease. However, data on TRAb kinetics during treatment in children are limited, especially in Vietnam.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 40 pediatric patients newly diagnosed with Graves’ disease and treated with Methimazole for ≥ 6 months at Hue Central Hospital and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. TRAb levels were measured at diagnosis and after 6 months. The percentage change in TRAb levels was calculated and analyzed in relation to selected clinical parameters.

Results: The median TRAb level at diagnosis was 20.91 IU/L, which decreased to 8.01 IU/L after six months of treatment (p < 0.05), corresponding to a median reduction of 57.68%. TRAb levels were significantly associated with age, exophthalmos, serum FT4, and thyroid volume. TRAb showed a negative correlation with age (rs = –0.38; p < 0.05) and a positive correlation with FT4 (rs = 0.46; p < 0.05), exophthalmos (rs = 0.55; p < 0.05), and thyroid volume (rs = 0.412; p < 0.05). The percentage change in TRAb positively correlated with the reduction in thyroid volume (rs = 0.60; p < 0.05) and negatively with a family history of thyroid disease (rs = –0.43; p < 0.05). Other clinical features were not significantly associated with ∆TRAb.

Conclusions: TRAb levels decreased significantly after antithyroid therapy and were associated with several clinical parameters and treatment responses. Periodic TRAb monitoring may serve as a valuable tool for assessing therapeutic effectiveness and prognosis in pediatric Graves’ disease.