Merck Supports 8th International Thyroid Awareness Week

PR64511

DARMSTADT, Germany, May 23 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    The information contained in this release is not appropriate for audiences

in the USA and Canada.

    - International survey reveals the remaining need for raising awareness

about thyroid disorders

    - International awareness campaign tackles the problem of untreated thyroid

disorders in children by urging parents to 'catch the butterflies and spot the

symptoms of thyroid disorder'

    Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced its

support of the 8th International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) May 23 to 29,

2016. This year's ITAW campaign addresses undiagnosed or untreated thyroid

disorders in the millions of children across the world, who could be

unknowingly living with the conditions.[1],[2],[3] A recent international

survey commissioned by Merck revealed that 84% of mothers could not correctly

identify the most common symptoms of thyroid disorders which, if left

untreated, can have a detrimental effect on a child's growth, brain development

and general well-being.[4],[5],[6]

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    Supported by Merck in partnership with Thyroid Federation International

(TFI), ITAW 2016 is titled 'Catching the butterflies: spotting the symptoms of

thyroid disorders in children'. The aim of the campaign is to help parents

recognize the most common symptoms of thyroid disorders by bringing them to

life through two 'Thyroid Butterfly' characters:

    Hypo, a slow growing, tired and sluggish blue butterfly representing the

symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).

    Hyper, a thin, overly active, fidgety pink butterfly, representing the

symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).

    Simon Sturge, Chief Operating Officer at Merck's Biopharma business said:

"Merck is delighted to once again partner with TFI for International Thyroid

Awareness Week 2016. Together we are working to ensure that the right

information is available in a format that is easy for parents to digest, and

ultimately that children who display the symptoms get tested. If parents

suspect their child is suffering of a thyroid disorder, they should visit a

physician and ask for their child to be screened with a simple blood test."

    Campaign materials can be accessed via the updated ITAW website (at

http://www.thyroidweek.com) to provide information on thyroid disorders in

children. Available materials include a brochure for parents, an interactive

quiz to test their knowledge and a storybook to tell the tale of Hypo and Hyper.

    Ashok Bhaseen, President of TFI, said: "We're really proud to have created

Hypo and Hyper, to facilitate education around thyroid disorders in a way that

resonates with children and their parents. Although thyroid disorders in

children are relatively rare, the condition can be very serious if it is

allowed to develop unchecked. Whereas in the hands of a healthcare professional

thyroid disease can be managed."

    The importance of raising awareness of childhood thyroid disorders among

mothers was recently reinforced by results of an international survey

commissioned by Merck. Data from 1,600 mothers in 16 countries revealed gaps in

awareness in three key areas: testing for thyroid disorders, knowledge of the

most common symptoms, and communication between mothers and their child's

physician.

    Key findings from the survey show that almost two-thirds (63%) of all

mothers surveyed said that their child had not been tested for a thyroid

disorder, rising to 85% among mothers who had no family history of the

conditions.[4] Most mothers were not aware of the symptoms of thyroid

disorders, with an average of 84% of those surveyed unable to identify the most

common symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.[4]

    When presented with a list of the most common symptoms, an average of one

in five mothers (20%) reported spotting these in their child.[4] However,

almost half of the mothers that spotted these symptoms (49%) did not discuss

them with a physician.[4]

    Overall, almost two thirds (58%) of mothers surveyed said that they had not

spoken to a physician about thyroid disorders.[4] This percentage rose steeply

to 84% among the mothers who had no family history of thyroid disorders.[4]

    ITAW is now an established and highly regarded global awareness campaign

endorsed by the American Thyroid Association (ATA), the European Thyroid

Association (ETA), and the Chinese Society of Endocrinology (CSE). For more

information visit the ITAW website, http://www.thyroidweek.com.

    References:

    1) Ford G and LaFranchi SH. Screening for congenital hypothyroidism: A

worldwide view of strategies. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014;

28:175-187

    2) Cappa M, Bizzarri C, and Crea F. Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Children

J Thyroid Res 2011; 2011: 1-13

    3) Counts D and Varma SK. Hypothyroidism in Children. Pediatr Rev 2009;

30:251-258

    4) International market Research Survey commissioned by Merck, February 2016

    5) Child Growth Foundation. Thyroid Disorders A Guide for Parents and

Patients Available at:

http://www.childgrowthfoundation.org/CMS/FILES/15_Hypothyroidism.pdf Last

accessed April 2016

    6) Bursell JDH and Warner JT. Interpretation of thyroid function in

children. Paediatr Child Health 2007; 17:361-366

    7) The Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Thyroid Disease in Children. Available

at: http://www.thyroid.ca/childhood.php#childhood Last accessed April 2016

    8) Rovet JF. The role of thyroid hormones for brain development and

cognitive function. Endocrin Dev 2014; 26:26-43

    9) Bettendorf M. Thyroid disorders in children from birth to adolescence.

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2002; 29 Suppl 2: S439-S446

    10) British Thyroid Foundation. Your Thyroid Gland. Available at:       

http://www.btf-thyroid.org/information/your-thyroid-gland Last accessed April

2016

    11) NHS. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Available at       

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-under-active/Pages/Introduction.aspx Last

accessed April 2016

    12) NHS. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Available at       

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-over-active/Pages/Introduction.aspx       

Last accessed April 2016

    About thyroid disorders in children

    The thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating a child's

metabolism and is essential for brain development and growth.[7],[8] The

thyroid gland also helps to maintain vital functions of their body such as

breathing, circulation and digestion and ensures all organs in their body

function properly.[5],[9]

    Sometimes the thyroid gland can stop working properly and become

overactive, producing too many thyroid hormones (a condition known as

hyperthyroidism), or underactive, producing too few thyroid hormones (a

condition known as hypothyroidism).[5],[10]

    Testing is simple and children benefit greatly from early diagnosis and

treatment.[5], [11] Thyroid disorders can, in most cases, be successfully

managed and with proper treatment, children should be able to control the

symptoms and lead normal, healthy lives. [7],[11],[12]

    How common are thyroid disorders in children?

    - Congenital hypothyroidism (present from birth) occurs in about 1 in every

2,000 - 4,000 babies[1]

    - Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism

in children affects 1% - 2% of adolescents globally[3]

    - Hyperthyroidism occurs in 8 of every 1,000,000 children less than 15

years old and in one in every 1,000,000 children less than 4 years old[2]

    About the international survey

    The survey was commissioned by Merck in February 2016 to identify mothers'

awareness and understanding of thyroid disorders in children. 100 mothers per

country were surveyed by Opinion Health, a market research company, across 16

countries. The total sample was 1,600 mothers.

    The sample consisted exclusively of mothers above 18 years, with children

aged 0-15. The countries covered by the survey are below:

    Europe

    Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Russia

    South East Asia

    Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore

    Central/South America

    Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico

    Middle East

    Saudi Arabia

    Africa

    South Africa

    About Thyroid Federation International (TFI)

    Thyroid Federation International first convened in Toronto at the 11th

International Thyroid Congress in September 1995. Diana Meltzer Abramsky, who

in 1980 founded the Thyroid Foundation of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada,

first advocated the vision of a world thyroid patient organization to deal with

the problems of thyroid disease in a global perspective. Since then the

Federation has grown to include thyroid organizations in many parts of the

world, including Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan. TFI is

an independent, worldwide network of patient-support organizations. The

Federation works together for the benefit of those affected by thyroid

disorders by providing information and raising awareness, by encouraging and

assisting the formation of patient-oriented groups, and by working closely with

the medical professions. TFI has a Medical Advisory Board, which consists of

some of the most eminent thyroid specialists in the world. For more

information, please visit http://www.thyroid-fed.org/tfi-wp

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    About Merck

    Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life

science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further

develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical

therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for

scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD

televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of EUR 12.85 billion in 66

countries.

    Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical

company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed

corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck

name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the

company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

SOURCE: Merck