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Investigation of the relationship between low Apgar scores and early neonatal thyroid function
Background:
The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of low Apgar scores on perinatal thyroid function.
Methods:
Forty full-term infants delivered by the normal spontaneous vaginal route were enrolled into the study. All babies had 1 and 5 min Apgar scores below 4. The control group consisted of 26 full-term healthy neonates. Cord blood and serum tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reverse tri-iodothyronine (rT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) determinations were performed by an enzyme immunoassay method.
Results:
The mean values of FT4 and T4 observed in the cord blood of the study group were significantly lower compared with matched controls, whereas the mean TSH values were significantly higher. There were no differences in concentrations of T3, rT3 and TBG between the two groups.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate the existence of transient hypothyroidism at birth in babies with Apgar scores below 4 delivered by the spontaneous vaginal route.