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Thyroid function tests in the newborn infants of preeclamptic women
N Narin1, S Kurtoğlu, M Başbuğ
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Insights
Preeclampsia in mothers may lead to enlarged thyroid glands and higher triiodothyronine (TT3) levels in newborns. These findings highlight potential impacts on fetal and neonatal thyroid function.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Health
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication.
- Maternal health conditions can affect fetal development.
- Thyroid function is crucial for neonatal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thyroid function changes in neonates born to preeclamptic mothers.
- To compare thyroid hormone levels and gland volume in newborns from preeclamptic versus healthy pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Included 15 neonates of preeclamptic mothers and 17 healthy controls.
- Measured serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and total thyroxine (TT4).
- Determined thyroid gland volume and thyroid volume relative to body weight.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in TSH or TT4 levels between groups.
- Significantly elevated serum TT3 levels in neonates of preeclamptic mothers (79.22 ng/dl vs. 40.00 ng/dl).
- Increased mean thyroid gland volume and thyroid volume/body weight ratio in the study group compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Preeclampsia may cause fetal and neonatal thyroid enlargement.
- Elevated serum TT3 levels are observed in neonates exposed to preeclampsia in utero.
- These findings suggest a potential link between maternal preeclampsia and neonatal thyroid alterations.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify possible changes in thyroid functions in newborn infants of preeclamptic women. Fifteen neonates (nine boys and six girls) of preeclamptic women and 17 healthy neonates (nine boys and eight girls) for the control group were included in the study. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and total thyroxine (TT4) levels and thyroid gland volumes were determined in both groups. Serum TSH and TT4 levels were not statistically different between the two groups. However, serum TT3 level was 79.22 +/- 40.19 ng/dl in the study group and 40.00 +/- 15.99 ng/dl in control subjects (p < 0.01). The mean right, left and total thyroid volumes were 1.3 +/- 1.2 ml, 1.2 +/- 1.1 ml and 2.4 +/- 2.3 ml in the study group and 0.6 +/- 0.2 ml, 0.6 +/- 0.2 ml, and 1.1 +/- 0.4 ml in the control group, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean thyroid volume/body weight was 0.9 +/- 0.09 ml/kg in the study group and 0.3 +/- 0.06 ml/kg in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we would like to stress that preeclampsia might be a cause of fetal and neonatal thyroid enlargement and elevated serum TT3 level.