Perinatal endocrinology: common endocrine disorders in the sick and premature newborn

Sharon J Hyman1, Yeray Novoa, Ian Holzman

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1616, New York, NY 10029, USA. sharon.hyman@mssm.edu

Insights

Endocrine disorders frequently affect premature and critically ill infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This review covers common neonatal endocrine conditions and their current management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Endocrine disorders are prevalent in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) populations.
  • Commonly associated with prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) infants.
  • Frequently observed in critically ill or stressed neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the most common endocrine disorders encountered in neonates.
  • To review current knowledge and management strategies for these conditions.
  • To provide a resource for clinicians managing endocrine dysfunction in the NICU.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common neonatal endocrine disorders.
  • Synthesis of current evidence regarding diagnosis and management.
  • Focus on conditions frequently seen in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Main Results:

  • Identification of key endocrine conditions affecting neonates.
  • Summary of diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions.
  • Emphasis on the link between endocrine disorders and prematurity/critical illness.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of neonatal endocrine disorders is crucial for improving outcomes.
  • Understanding associated risk factors like prematurity is essential.
  • Continued research is needed to refine treatment protocols for these vulnerable infants.

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