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Sodium handling in congenitally hypothyroid neonates
1Division of Paediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. asamitds@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 3, 2004
Summary
This study found no link between congenital hypothyroidism and hyponatraemia in neonates. Serum sodium levels were normal in infants with congenital hypothyroidism, suggesting other causes for hyponatraemia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Early observations suggested a potential link between hypothyroidism and hyponatraemia.
- Recent studies have questioned this association, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hyponatraemia and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in neonates.
- To examine sodium handling in screening-detected neonates with CH.
Main Methods:
- Serum and urinary sodium and creatinine levels were measured in 32 neonates with CH and 16 controls.
- Measurements were taken before and after L-thyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy.
- Fractional sodium excretion rate (FENa) was calculated.
Main Results:
- No cases of hyponatraemia were observed in neonates with CH.
- Serum sodium concentrations in CH neonates were not statistically different from controls.
- No correlation was found between thyroid hormone levels (TSH, FT4) and serum sodium or FENa.
Conclusions:
- Hyponatraemia is not directly caused by the lack of thyroid hormones in hypothyroid patients.
- When hyponatraemia is detected in hypothyroid children, other underlying causes should be investigated.