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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

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Newborn TSH concentration and its association with cognitive development in healthy boys

Carmen Freire1, Rosa Ramos, Esperanza Amaya

  • 1Laboratory of Medical Investigations, San Cecilio University Hospital, University of Granada, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Avenida Madrid s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain. cfreire@ugr.es

European Journal of Endocrinology
|September 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Elevated newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in cord blood are linked to poorer neurocognitive development in children. This suggests a need for enhanced screening for neonatal thyroid function.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Thyroid function during pregnancy and infancy impacts child neurodevelopment.
  • Previous studies indicate a link between maternal/infant thyroid status and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and subsequent neurocognitive development in children.
  • To assess if neonatal TSH levels predict cognitive abilities at age 4.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study of 178 children from a Spanish birth cohort (2000-2002).
  • Umbilical cord blood TSH levels were measured.
  • Cognitive functions assessed at 4 years using McCarthy's Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA).
  • Placental organochlorine compounds and estrogenicity were also analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Higher newborn TSH concentrations correlated with lower scores in general cognitive and executive functions.
  • Elevated TSH was associated with an increased risk of low quantitative and span memory scores.
  • Specific TSH quartiles showed varied associations with different cognitive scales, including verbal ability.

Conclusions:

  • Newborn thyroid status, indicated by cord blood TSH, may negatively influence later cognitive function.
  • Findings support the need for more comprehensive screening for neonatal thyroid deficiency.
Abstract

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