This book covers the entire spectrum of thyroid diseases in childhood, focusing on the recent advances that have been achieved, from progress in basic science research through to novel or improved approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Introductory chapters discuss thyroid embryogenesis and the role of thyroid hormones in fetal development. The two contrasting forms of thyroid dysfunction, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, are then considered in depth, with particular attention to the molecular causes of congenital hypothyroidism. Among the other topics addressed are autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and pediatric neoplasms. The book concludes with an overview of promising therapeutic approaches, such as stem cell therapy. Each topic is treated by an eminent expert in the field, ensuring consistently high quality. Thyroid Diseases in Childhood will be an important source of information for endocrinologists, pediatricians, oncologists, and gynecologists, as well as other professionals interested in this topic.

Gianni Bona, is Full Professor in Pediatrics and Chairman of the Division of Pediatrics at University of Western Piedmont, Novara, Italy. He is also Chairman of the Department of Mother and Child's Health, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara. He is currently Vice-President of The Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics and has previously served as Vice-President of The Italian Society of Pediatrics (2006-2009) and as President of Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED) (2003-2005). Dr. Bona is President of the Interuniversity Research Centre of Genomics in Pediatric Endocrinology, Chief Editor of the journal Minerva Pediatrica, and an Editorial Advisory Council Member of Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. He has published more than 460 papers on a range of fields, including pediatric endocrinology and genetics.Filippo de Luca, is Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Materno-Fetal Department at the University of Messina, Italy, specialized in pediatrics, with wide expertise in endocrinology and diabetes. He is referee in Acta Pediatrica, European Journal of Endocrinology, Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. He served as President of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED).Alice Monzani, is resident in Pediatrics and PhD student in the Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy. Her recent publications have included original and review articles on natural history and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in children, the association of metabolic syndrome and parental obesity, and a novel familial variation of the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene (I276N) associated with resistance to thyroid hormone. She is referee in for Thyroid, Endocrine, Minerva Pediatrica, Seizure.