A pilot study to evaluate clinical factors associated with iron and ferritin elevations during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: Elevations in serum ferritin and serum iron occur during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Previous reports attribute the elevation to frequent red blood cell transfusions and/or hemolysis. Chronic transfusion can cause iron deposition in tissues leading to multisystem organ dysfunction. This study aims identify clinical factors associated with elevated ferritin and iron in pediatric ECMO patients, along with post-decannulation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of iron deposition in liver and brain.Methods: Prospective, pilot study, using descriptive statistics to investigate potential associations between patient characteristics, serum ferritin and iron levels, and post-decannulation hepatic and basal ganglia iron deposition.Results: In this study, nine patients (100%) had elevated serum ferritin levels during ECMO. High ferritin levels were more common with veno-arterial than with veno-venous cannulation (p = 0.026) and were also associated with high plasma free hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001). Five patients presented with elevated serum iron levels. High serum iron levels were associated with higher daily (p = 0.016) and cumulative transfusion volumes (p = 0.013) as well ECMO duration beyond 7 days. MRI scans were performed on three patients with no evidence of abnormal iron deposition detected in the liver or brain.Conclusions: This pilot study shows that during pediatric ECMO, elevations in serum ferritin and serum iron occur and those elevations may be related to the cannulation modality, ECMO duration, amount of hemolysis, and volume of red blood cell transfusions. Further investigation is warranted to fully understand the implications of elevated serum iron and ferritin in pediatric ECMO.

Understanding increased ferritin levels in pediatric ECMO patients.

Abnormally high serum ferritin levels have been reported during pediatric ECMO, attributed to frequent red blood cell transfusion and suggestive of iron overload. However, the utility of ferritin for diagnosing iron overload is complicated by its response as an acute-phase reactant. In this study, we aimed to assess the utility of ferritin for diagnosing ECMO-related iron overload, with secondary aims of understanding its relationship with inflammation and erythropoiesis. Ferritin was elevated in all pediatric ECMO runs (median 459 ng/ml, IQR = 327.3-694.4). While intermittent elevations in serum iron were observed, all normalized prior to decannulation. Unreported previously, erythropoietin (EPO) remained well above normative values prior to and throughout ECMO runs, despite frequent transfusion and exposure to hyperoxia. Ferritin correlated poorly with serum iron [r(80) = 0.05, p = 0.65], but correlated well with IL-6 [r(76) = 0.48, p < 0.001] and EPO [r(81) = 0.55, p < 0.001]. We suggest that serum ferritin is a poor biomarker of iron overload in ECMO patients, and that future investigation into its relationship with EPO is warranted.

Central and peripheral nervous system involvement by COVID-19: a systematic review of the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, neuropathology, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and cerebrospinal fluid findings.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 can affect the human brain and other neurological structures. An increasing number of publications report neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19. However, no studies have comprehensively reviewed the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of the central and peripheral nervous system's involvement in these patients. This study aimed to describe the features of the central and peripheral nervous system involvement by COVID-19 in terms of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, neuropathology, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and cerebrospinal fluid findings. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of all the original studies reporting patients with neurological involvement by COVID-19, from December 2019 to June 2020, without language restriction. We excluded studies with animal subjects, studies not related to the nervous system, and opinion articles. Data analysis combined descriptive measures, frequency measures, central tendency measures, and dispersion measures for all studies reporting neurological conditions and abnormal ancillary tests in patients with confirmed COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 143 observational and descriptive studies reported central and peripheral nervous system involvement by COVID-19 in 10,723 patients. Fifty-one studies described pathophysiologic mechanisms of neurological involvement by COVID-19, 119 focused on clinical manifestations, 4 described neuropathology findings, 62 described neuroimaging findings, 28 electrophysiology findings, and 60 studies reported cerebrospinal fluid results. The reviewed studies reflect a significant prevalence of the nervous system's involvement in patients with COVID-19, ranging from 22.5 to 36.4% among different studies, without mortality rates explicitly associated with neurological involvement by SARS-CoV-2. We thoroughly describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of neurological involvement in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our evidence synthesis led to a categorical analysis of the central and peripheral neurological involvement by COVID-19 and provided a comprehensive explanation of the reported pathophysiological mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause neurological impairment. International collaborative efforts and exhaustive neurological registries will enhance the translational knowledge of COVID-19's central and peripheral neurological involvement and generate therapeutic decision-making strategies. REGISTRATION: This review was registered in PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020193140 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020193140.

Toward New Epidemiological Landscapes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) Transmission under Future Human-Modified Land Cover and Climatic Change in Mexico.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important yet neglected disease that represents a severe public health problem in the Americas. Although the alteration of natural habitats and climate change can favor the establishment of new transmission cycles for T. cruzi, the compound effect of human-modified landscapes and current climate change on the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi has until now received little attention. A better understanding of the relationship between these factors and T. cruzi presence is an important step towards finding ways to mitigate the future impact of this disease on human communities. Here, we assess how wild and domestic cycles of T. cruzi transmission are related to human-modified landscapes and climate conditions (LUCC-CC). Using a Bayesian datamining framework, we measured the correlations among the presence of T. cruzi transmission cycles (sylvatic, rural, and urban) and historical land use, land cover, and climate for the period 1985 to 2012. We then estimated the potential range changes of T. cruzi transmission cycles under future land-use and -cover change and climate change scenarios for 2050 and 2070 time-horizons, with respect to "green" (RCP 2.6), "business-as-usual" (RCP 4.5), and "worst-case" (RCP 8.5) scenarios, and four general circulation models. Our results show how sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles could have historically interacted through the potential exchange of wild triatomines (insect vectors of T. cruzi) and mammals carrying T. cruzi, due to the proximity of human settlements (urban and rural) to natural habitats. However, T. cruzi transmission cycles in recent times (i.e., 2011) have undergone a domiciliation process where several triatomines have colonized and adapted to human dwellings and domestic species (e.g., dogs and cats) that can be the main blood sources for these triatomines. Accordingly, Chagas disease could become an emerging health problem in urban areas. Projecting potential future range shifts of T. cruzi transmission cycles under LUCC-CC scenarios we found for RCP 2.6 no expansion of favourable conditions for the presence of T. cruzi transmission cycles. However, for RCP 4.5 and 8.5, a significant range expansion of T. cruzi could be expected. We conclude that if sustainable goals are reached by appropriate changes in socio-economic and development policies we can expect no increase in suitable habitats for T. cruzi transmission cycles.

[Thyroid incidentaloma frequency in a university hospital]. / Prevalencia del incidentaloma tiroideo en un hospital universitario.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of thyroid incidentaloma is variable and always created the dilemma of how to manage them. The objective was to determine the frequency of thyroid incidentalomas in a University Hospital. METHODS: A descriptive, transversal, prospective study was done; a non-probabilistic sample was used with patients who met the following criteria: >18 years, indiscriminate sex, and an image that included neck: ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance. Patients with known or suspected thyroid nodule or any other thyroid disease and pregnant women were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: 153 patients who had the criterion; 11 patients had an incidentaloma (7.18%). Females were more frequent with seven cases (63.6%), the mean age was 56.9 years. Morphologically only a single thyroid nodule was detected. The nodules were smaller than 1.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence documented in our study is smaller than other reports, it is proposed monitoring patients with thyroid incidentalomas according to current consensus guidelines.

What happens when the party moves home? The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. college student alcohol consumption as a function of legal drinking status using longitudinal data.

Many young adults in the United States (U.S.) moved from college accommodations to live with their parents/family during the Spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While alcohol consumption fluctuates during a typical semester among students, the impact of the sudden changes stemming from the pandemic on students' alcohol consumption patterns is unclear. To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college student alcohol consumption while accounting for legal drinking age and living situation. Data were collected from students (n = 302) at a large, northeastern U.S. university at the beginning and end of the of the 2019 and 2020 Spring semesters via an online survey that assessed socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, living situation) and alcohol consumption using the daily drinking questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a 2 (cohort group: COVID-19 vs. normal) × 2 (age group: above 21 vs. under 21) × 2 (time: beginning vs. end of the semester) mixed model ANOVA. There was a significant three-way interaction. Students over the legal drinking age impacted by the pandemic demonstrated a drastic decrease in alcohol consumption by the end of the semester compared to those under normal circumstances. Change in living situation as a result of the pandemic drastically impacted the alcohol consumption patterns of students over the legal drinking age. Suggestions for future research on the continuing effects of the pandemic on students are discussed.

Underutilization of insulin and better metabolic control. A NOVA clinic experience.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of metabolic control in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from a private clinic in Northern Mexico. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used retrospective data obtained from electronic records from a private outpatient clinic at the end of 2018. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of T2DM and age ≥ 18 years. Baseline characteristics (age, gender, drug use) were reported. The achievement of glycated hemoglobin goals was established as <7%. RESULTS: A total of 3820 patients were evaluated. Their mean age was 59.86 years (+/-15.01). Of the population, 46.72% were men, and 53.28% were women. Glycated hemoglobin goals were adequate in 1872 (54%) patients. There were 3247 patients (85%) treated with oral medications, of which 1948 (60%) reported glycated hemoglobin less than 7%. Insulin use was reported in 573 (15%) patients, with 115 (20%) reporting glycated hemoglobin less than 7%. The most frequently used basal insulin was glargine in 401 (70%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are clearly higher than the control rate reported by our national health surveys of 25% with glycated hemoglobin < 7%, but similar to that reported in other countries. The most commonly used therapeutic scheme was the combination of oral hypoglycemic agents. The percentage of cases that include insulin in their treatment was lower. Clinical inertia to insulin initiation and intensification has been defined as an important cause of this problem.

Deep learning-level melanoma detection by interpretable machine learning and imaging biomarker cues.

SIGNIFICANCE: Melanoma is a deadly cancer that physicians struggle to diagnose early because they lack the knowledge to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Deep machine learning approaches to image analysis offer promise but lack the transparency to be widely adopted as stand-alone diagnostics. AIM: We aimed to create a transparent machine learning technology (i.e., not deep learning) to discriminate melanomas from nevi in dermoscopy images and an interface for sensory cue integration. APPROACH: Imaging biomarker cues (IBCs) fed ensemble machine learning classifier (Eclass) training while raw images fed deep learning classifier training. We compared the areas under the diagnostic receiver operator curves. RESULTS: Our interpretable machine learning algorithm outperformed the leading deep-learning approach 75% of the time. The user interface displayed only the diagnostic imaging biomarkers as IBCs. CONCLUSIONS: From a translational perspective, Eclass is better than convolutional machine learning diagnosis in that physicians can embrace it faster than black box outputs. Imaging biomarkers cues may be used during sensory cue integration in clinical screening. Our method may be applied to other image-based diagnostic analyses, including pathology and radiology.

[Prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy]. / Prevalencia de hipokalemia en pacientes tratados con pulsos de metilprednisolona.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. DESIGN: We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 110 outpatients who received pulse doses of 1 g of intravenous methylprednisolone for three consecutive days. Demographic variables, serum electrolytes and an electrocardiogram were documented. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 31 men (28.2%) and 79 women (71.8%). Average age was 40 +/- 13.6 years. Mild hypokalemia was present in 19 patients (17.27% [95% CI 9.75-24.79]); moderate potassium levels were found in just one patient 0.9% [IC 95 0.023-4.96]); no cases of severe hypokalemia occurred. Total prevalence was 18.18% (95% CI 10.5-25.8). There were no significant electrocardiographic changes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate hypokalemia was 18.18% without clinical or electrocardiographic consequences. Since there were no cases of severe hypokalemia, close monitoring of potassium levels should be restricted to those patients with other risk factors.

[NOPHAL Proyect: an integreting vision of hyperglycemia at the hospital]. / Proyecto NOPHAL: una visión integradora de la hiperglucemia en el hospital.

Patients with hyperglycemia are more likely to be hospitalized, and evidence links it with poor outcomes. Recognizing the importance of glycemic control, we develop a multidisciplinary educational program on inpatient glycemic management, with metabolic goals that are reasonable, achievable and safe.

[Expand newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry: two years' experience in Nuevo León, Mexico]. / Tamiz metabólico neonatal por espectrometría de masas en tándem: dos años de experiencia en Nuevo León, México.

OBJECTIVE: To initiate a statewide expanded metabolic screening program in neonates with the purpose of identifying the most common inborn errors of metabolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 2002 through February 2004, a blood sample was obtained between 24 and 48 hours after delivery from every consecutive child born in public hospitals in Nuevo León. It was spotted on filter paper and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry for expanded metabolic screening. RESULTS: A total of 42 264 samples were analyzed. Were obtained seven positive results, one for each disorder: homocystinuria, hyperphenylalaninemia, citrulinemia, transient tyrosinemia, 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase deficiency, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA deficiency, and classic galactosemia. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated incidence of inborn errors of metabolism is 1:5 000, with a false positive rate of 0.22%. The program permitted the identification of metabolic disorders in the newborn, allowing an early intervention and prevention of life-threatening events and permanent neurological damage.

Adequate restitution in primary hypothyroidism depending on levothyroxine formulations / Restitución adecuada en hipotiroidismo primario según las presentaciones de levotirotiroxina

Background: The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism (PH) is around 3.8%-4.6% in general population. Out of patients under treatment with levothyroxine, approximately 40% show altered levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Objective: To determine the prevalence of euthyroid sick syndrome in patients under treatment for PH in two local clinics, considering that the number of formulations of levothyroxine could be a contributing factor to the inadequate restitution. Methods: Descriptive, comparative cohort conducted with PH patients who were treated with a stable dose of levothyroxine for at least six months. Patients treated with mixtures of liothyronine/levothyroxine, with postsurgical hypothyroidism, pregnant, breastfeeding or mentally ill were discarded. Medical clinic 1 was a public center that had only access to levothyroxine of 100 µg, and medical clinic 2 was a private clinic with access to 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg levothyroxine formulations. Results: A total of 350 patients were evaluated. 190 patients were obtained at clinic 1, and 160 patients at clinic 2. At clinic 1, only 63% received the appropriate dose, while at clinic 2, 75% were medicated with the correct dose (p = 0.033). Conclusion: In the public center, 39% of patients did not receive appropriate dose of levothyroxine; however, in the private clinic, which had more drug formulations, the percentage of patients lowered to 25%. Therefore, the number of formulations could be a factor for the risk of inadequate restitution.

Introducción: La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo primario (HP) en la población general oscila entre 3.8 y 4.6%. De los pacientes que están bajo tratamiento con levotiroxina, aproximadamente 40% muestra una hormona estimulante de la tiroides (TSH) anormal. Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de eutiroidismo en pacientes tratados por HP en dos clínicas de nuestra localidad, considerando que las presentaciones de levotiroxina pudiesen ser un factor contribuyente. Métodos: Cohorte comparativa de pacientes con HP tratados con levotiroxina en dosis estable por más de seis meses. Se descartaron los pacientes tratados con mezclas de liotironina/levotiroxina, hipotiroidismo postquirúrgico, embarazadas o en lactancia e individuos con enfermedades mentales. La clínica 1 (entidad pública) contó con levotiroxina de 100 µg y la clínica 2 (entidad privada) con pastillas de 25, 50, 75 y 100 µg. Resultados: Evaluamos 350 pacientes. De la clínica 1 se obtuvieron 190 y de la clínica 2 fueron 160. En la clínica 1, el 63% recibió la dosis adecuada, mientras que en la clínica 2, el 75% eran medicados con la dosis correcta (p = 0.033). Conclusiones: En la entidad pública, 39% no recibió la dosis adecuada de levotiroxina; sin embargo, en la entidad privada, con más presentaciones del medicamento, el número disminuye a 25%. Por lo tanto el número de presentaciones podría ser un factor influyente para lograr el eutiroidismo.

Nondiagnostic thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology: outcome in surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) is the main screening process for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules. Despite this, by 5-29% of patients, their FNA results are not enough to confirm malign neoplasia, particularly in cases with follicular lesions. The objective of this report is to present the definitive histological results of a group of 41 patients with FNA of Thyroid nodule catalogued as "indeterminate/non diagnostic" sent for surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done on all of the patients who had underwent surgery for thyroid nodule, with a previous diagnosis of "indeterminate/non diagnostic" by FNA. Forty-one patients, three male (7.31%), and 38 female (92.68%), were included in the present study. RESULTS: Fifteen women and one man were positive for malignancies (39.02%). The nodule was bigger than 4 cm in 23 patients in total (56.09%), and of this percentage, 6 were malignant (26.09%). According to age, 24 patients were older than 45 years (58.5%), 8 of whom showed malignant pathology (33.3%). All these variables were non significant. Fifteen of 16 patients had a definitive diagnosis of papillary carcinoma and one follicular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with a diagnosis of "indeterminated/non diagnostic" had benign lesions (60.9%). The usual predictive factors for malignity such as age, sex, size of nodule, did not present a significant support in the differential diagnosis.

SGLT2 inhibitors as add on therapy in type 2 diabetes: a real world study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive chronic disease associated with severe microvascular and macrovascular complications. Our aim is to assess the real world effectiveness of SGT" inhibitors in achieving metabolic therapeutic goals. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study. Inclusion criteria for patients were a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, age > 18 years, patients receiving either dapagliflozin 10 mg and/or canagliflozin 300 mg. We excluded pregnant patients, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and acute metabolic complications of diabetes. Patients included in the analysis were enrolled in a health plan at least 6 months prior to the index date (baseline period) and in the 6 months following the index date (follow-up period). Achievement of glycated hemoglobin goals were established as <7%. RESULTS: We screened 2870 Mexican patients; 288 (10.03% received SGLT2 inhibitors). Mean age for both groups of patients was 57.68 ± 11.06 years. The dapagliflozin control rate was 19.56% and the canagliflozin control rate 18.96%. Monotherapy with SGLT2 inhibitors was used in 21 patients (6.25%). Overall HbA1c goals were met in 56 patients (19.44%) with similar results with dapagliflozin or canagliflozin. The combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and sulfonylureas had the highest control rate (30.30%) compared to other regimens. Monotherapy was present in 6.25%. Insulin requirement was associated with poor control (2.8% vs. 18.05%, P < 0.05, 95% CI [0.07, 0.84]). Combination therapy with DPP4 inhibitors was associated with better control (P < 0.05, 95% CI, [1.10, 3.92]). CONCLUSION: No difference between the drugs was observed. Real-world effectiveness data of SGLT2 inhibitors show that the percentage of patients reaching metabolic goals is low. SLGT2 inhibitors were used more frequently as combined therapy.

[Insulin therapy in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia]. / Terapia con insulina en pacientes con hipertrigliceridemia severa.

A series of seven patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride levels > 1000 mg/dL) is presented. Four of the patients were diabetics, two of them were in treatment with anti-retroviral drugs, and three of them presented acute pancreatitis. In all patients intravenous infusion of insulin was initiated at a rate of 0.05-2 U/kg/day. Two and a half days after this treatment, the serum triglyceride level remained lower than 400 mg/dL. There were no complications during the treatment. The long treatment included basal insulin, fibrates and avoidance of pharmacotherapy. Insulin therapy for diabetic and non-diabetic patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia is an effective and safe treatment.

[Helicobacter pylori detection in children with initially negative Gram, Giemsa and Wharting-Starry methods, using other histologic techniques]. / Detección de Helicobacter pylori en niños con los métodos de gram, giemsa y Warthing-Starry, inicialmente negativos con otras técnicas histológicas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify Helicobacter pylori by Gram, Giemsa and Warthing-Starry histological staining methods in biopsies of the digestive tract in children, when Helicobacter pylori identification was negative with hematoxilin and eosin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, cross-sectional and comparative study of 36 gastric biopsies received in the department of Anatomic-Pathology, in a period often months. All the biopsies were initially stained with routine Hematoxilin and Eosin. Of the 36 biopsies, 24 were negative to Helicobacter pylori. From paraffin blocks of these last biopsies three new histological sections were obtained to dye them with Gram, Giemsa and Warthing-Starry, and two medical pathologists performed the microscopic interpretation of these samples. RESULTS: The search for Helicobacter pylori was carried out in 24 initially negative biopsies, one was positive for Gram (4.16%) and negative for Giemsa and Warthing-Starry and four were both positive for Giemsa and Warthing-Starry (16.66%) and both were also negative for Gram. Only one biopsy was positive for the three methods. The remaining samples were negative for the three stains. CONCLUSION: The Giemsa and/or Warthing-Starry histologic techniques can be a more specific alternative for the determination of Helicobacter pylori in patients with negative digestive tract biopsies with the traditional method of hematoxilin and eosin.

Steroid hyperglycemia: Prevalence, early detection and therapeutic recommendations: A narrative review.

Steroids are drugs that have been used extensively in a variety of conditions. Although widely prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, glucocorticoids have several side effects, being hyperglycemia one of the most common and representative. In the present review, we discuss the main epidemiologic characteristics associated with steroid use, with emphasis on the identification of high risk populations. Additionally we present the pathophysiology of corticosteroid induced hyperglycemia as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics associated with steroid use. We propose a treatment strategy based on previous reports and the understanding of the mechanism of action of both, the different types of glucocorticoids and the treatment options, in both the ambulatory and the hospital setting. Finally, we present some of the recent scientific advances as well as some options for future use of glucocorticoids.

[Thyroid cancer in children and adolescents]. / Cáncer de tiroides en niños y adolescentes.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules in children and adolescents may be associated to malignant neoplasms. Although thyroid cancer is a rare event in this age group, delayed diagnosis is associated to metastatic, regional or lung disease, but even in these circumstances appropriate treatment may be followed by good prognosis. We decided to review the clinical course of these patients in our hospital from 1980 to 2001. METHODS: We found fifteen patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma, which had been followed by at least 12 months, with a mean of 95 months and a maximal of 10 years. All patients were treated by surgery and 131 iodine, and followed by scans, ultrasound and thyroglobulin analysis. RESULTS: The patients group were thirteen females and two males. At diagnosis, seven patients (46.7o%) had metastatic regional disease and eight had a thyroid nodule. Total thyroidectomy with a modified neck dissection and 131 iodine was the initial treatment for patients with regional disease and subtotal thyroidectomy and 131 iodine in the follow-up to treat the thyroid bed or metastases was the treatment for patients with localized disease. All patients had a histologic pattern of papillary carcinoma. Nine patients (60%) had local recurrence in a mean follow-up of 37 months, one patient that had been previously treated by total thyroidectomy and all patients that were treated by subtotal thyroidectomy, however, all responded to the complementary treatment. At this moment the mean follow up is 95 months and all the patients have survived. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience thyroid cancer in children and adolescents is a rare event whose delayed diagnosis is associated to regional lymph node or lung metastases. Subtotal thyroidectomy was associated to disease progression to metastases, but complementary treatment was successful and all patients have survived.