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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development
Published on: June 6, 2014
Thyroid function in 76 sick preterm infants 30-36 weeks: results from a longitudinal study
Antonio Carrascosa1, Pilar Ruiz-Cuevas, María Clemente
1Pediatric Endocrine Service, Children's Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Sick preterm infants (30-36 weeks gestational age) may experience hypothyroxinemia, particularly those treated with dopamine or with patent ductus arteriosus. Thyroid function monitoring is crucial for these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric critical care
Background:
- Thyroid hormone plays a critical role in infant development.
- Preterm infants are at increased risk for thyroid dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate thyroid function in sick preterm infants between 30-36 weeks gestational age.
- To identify factors associated with thyroid dysfunction in this population.
Main Methods:
- Serum thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3, free T4, rT3) were measured in mothers and infants.
- Infant measurements were taken at multiple postnatal time points.
- Thyroid hormone levels were compared to healthy, age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Hypothyroxinemia was observed in 32 out of 76 sick preterm infants, primarily at 24 hours and 1 week of age.
- Infants treated with dopamine and those with patent ductus arteriosus showed significantly higher rates of hypothyroxinemia.
- Thyroid function normalized by 3 weeks in most infants who initially presented with hypothyroxinemia.
Conclusions:
- Sick preterm infants (30-36 weeks gestational age) are susceptible to transient hypothyroxinemia.
- Patent ductus arteriosus and dopamine treatment are associated with increased risk of hypothyroxinemia.
- Close monitoring of thyroid function is recommended for sick preterm infants, especially those with risk factors.
Aim:
To assess thyroid function in 76 sick preterm infants 30-36 weeks gestational age.
Patients And Methods:
Measurement of serum TSH, T4, T3, free T4 and rT3 in the mother and cord at delivery, and in the infant at 1 and 24 hours, 1 and 3 weeks, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of postnatal age. These values were compared with those of 75 healthy age-matched controls. Gestational age was 30 weeks in 24, 31 weeks in 23, 32 weeks in 13, 33 weeks in 13, 34 weeks in one, 35 weeks in one and 36 weeks in one. Hypothyroxinemia at each postnatal age was defined as serum free T4 values under -2 SD of the mean of controls.
Results:
Forty-four patients were normothy-roxinemic at all times, and 32 presented hypothyroxinemia at 24 hours (29 patients), 1 week (seven patients) and 3 weeks (two patients). Follow-up of 31 patients who were normothyroxinemic at 24 hours of life showed that at one week three (9.7%) were hypothyroxinemic and at 3 weeks all were normothyroxinemic. At 24 hours of life, all patients with patent ductus arteriosus and all patients treated with dopamine were in the hypothyroxinemic range.
Conclusion:
Hypothyroxinemia may be present in sick preterm infants 30-36 weeks of gestational age, particularly in those treated with dopamine and/or presenting patent ductus arteriosus.
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