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[Effect of perinatal asphyxia on thyroid hormones]
1Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Jornal De Pediatria
|December 4, 2003
Summary
Perinatal asphyxia in newborns is linked to lower thyroid hormone levels, specifically T4, free T4, and T3, suggesting altered metabolism. These changes appear secondary to reduced thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Perinatal asphyxia is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in neonatal development and metabolism.
- The impact of perinatal asphyxia on thyroid hormone profiles in term newborns requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of perinatal asphyxia on thyroid hormone levels in term newborn infants.
- To compare thyroid hormone (T4, T3, free T4, reverse T3, TSH) levels between asphyxiated and non-asphyxiated newborns.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 17 term asphyxiated and 17 term control newborn infants.
- Infants were matched for key demographic and perinatal factors.
- Umbilical cord plasma and plasma collected 18-24 hours after birth were analyzed for thyroid hormone levels.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cord blood thyroid hormones were observed, except for higher reverse T3 in the asphyxiated group.
- 18-24 hours after birth, asphyxiated newborns showed lower T4, T3, and free T4 levels compared to controls.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were also lower in asphyxiated newborns.
Conclusions:
- Lower T4, free T4, and T3 levels in asphyxiated newborns appear secondary to reduced TSH.
- Peripheral metabolism of thyroxine (T4) may be altered in asphyxiated infants, indicated by low T3 and normal reverse T3 levels.