Thyroid disorders are common comorbidities in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but their distribution varies across regions. A study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice evaluated global differences in the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism, and identified associated risk factors in a large pediatric cohort.

Children aged 18 years or younger with T1DM registered in the SWEET database between 2012 and 2022 were included if data on thyroid screening were available. A total of 19,225 children met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed for thyroid-related outcomes.

The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism in the overall cohort was 13.2% and 9.9%, respectively. Adjusted analyses showed that the highest prevalence of both conditions was observed in South America, with thyroid autoimmunity at 16.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.1-20.1) and hypothyroidism at 17.1% (95% CI 13.9-21.0). Age, sex, and geographic region were identified as predictors of both thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism. In addition, longer diabetes duration and higher BMI-Z scores were associated with increased risk of hypothyroidism.

These findings highlight substantial regional variation in thyroid disorders among children with T1DM. The results support the need for region-specific screening strategies based on local prevalence patterns and risk profiles to enable earlier detection and improved clinical outcomes.