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Increased insulin sensitivity in intrauterine growth retarded newborns--do thyroid hormones play a role?

Sajita Setia1, M G Sridhar, B C Koner

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Pondicherry - 605 006, India.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|August 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) newborns show altered thyroid hormone levels and increased insulin sensitivity. Thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), are associated with this heightened insulin sensitivity in IUGR infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal endocrinology
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Thyroid hormones are crucial for normal brain development.
  • Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects fetal development and may impact metabolic regulation.
  • Understanding the interplay between thyroid status and insulin sensitivity in IUGR is important for neonatal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the thyroid hormone profile in newborns with IUGR.
  • To assess insulin sensitivity in IUGR newborns.
  • To determine the correlation between thyroid status and insulin sensitivity in IUGR infants.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 50 IUGR and 50 healthy control infants at birth.
  • Cord blood samples were collected for analysis.
  • Measurements included triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), glucose, and insulin levels.

Main Results:

  • IUGR newborns exhibited significantly lower insulin levels and higher insulin sensitivity (glucose to insulin ratio) compared to controls.
  • TSH levels were significantly higher, while T4 levels were significantly lower in IUGR infants; T3 levels were similar.
  • Regression analysis revealed a negative association between insulin sensitivity and T4, and a positive association with TSH in IUGR infants.

Conclusions:

  • Thyroid hormones, particularly TSH and T4, appear to play a role in the increased insulin sensitivity observed at birth in IUGR newborns.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between thyroid dysfunction and metabolic adaptations in growth-restricted infants.
Abstract

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