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Published on: December 31, 2015
Aortic Intima-Media Thickness in Newborns with Congenital Hypothyroidism
Mustafa Ali Akin1, Dilek Sarici, Ali Yikilmaz
1Division of Neonatology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri , Turkey. mustafaaliakin @ hotmail.com
Insights
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in newborns is linked to higher aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) and altered lipid profiles. This suggests an increased risk for early atherosclerosis, even in infancy.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal endocrinology
- Cardiovascular research
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in neonates is associated with lipid alterations.
- These alterations may signify an increased risk for early cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
- Investigating neonatal CH effects on lipid metabolism and aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) is crucial for understanding early atherogenic risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) on lipid metabolism in newborns.
- To assess aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) in neonates with CH as an indicator of atherogenic risk.
- To determine if CH contributes to increased risk of atherosclerosis during the neonatal period.
Main Methods:
- A study group of 15 newborns with CH, identified via neonatal screening, was compared to 25 healthy newborns.
- Serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol and triglycerides, were measured in all participants.
- Aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) was assessed in both the patient and control groups.
Main Results:
- Neonates with CH exhibited significantly higher mean aIMT (0.46 ± 0.062 mm) compared to controls (0.34 ± 0.035 mm).
- Weight-adjusted aIMT was also significantly greater in the CH group (0.13 ± 0.017 mm/kg) versus controls (0.10 ± 0.019 mm/kg).
- Total serum cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in neonates with CH (130.80 ± 44.46 mg/dl) compared to healthy controls (99.96 ± 18.87 mg/dl).
Conclusions:
- Neonates diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism demonstrate significantly increased aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) and notable lipid alterations.
- These findings suggest that hypothyroidism in neonates may elevate the risk of developing early atherosclerosis.
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring cardiovascular risk factors in newborns with CH from the neonatal period onwards.
Background/Aims:
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in neonates is associated with lipid alterations that might be a risk factor for early cardiovascular disease in adult life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CH on lipid metabolism and aortic intima media thickness (aIMT) as a unique finding of the increased risk of atherogenic risk in neonatal age.
Methods:
The study group consisted of 15 newborns with CH who were identified by neonatal mass screening (patient group), and 25 healthy newborns (control group). Serum lipid profiles and aIMT obtained from abdominal aorta were measured in all subjects.
Results:
The mean aIMT were higher in the patient group (0.46 ± 0.062 mm) compared with the control group (0.34 ± 0.035 mm; p = 0.006). The weight-adjusted aIMT of patients (0.13 ± 0.017 mm/kg) was also significantly greater than that of the controls (0.10 ± 0.019 mm/kg; p < 0.001). Total serum cholesterol levels were significantly higher in patients than those in healthy controls (130.80 ± 44.46 vs. 99.96 ± 18.87 mg/dl). The other lipid levels including triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels of the patients were slightly higher than those of the controls, without statistical significance.
Conclusion:
Neonates with CH have significantly higher aIMT with lipid alterations. Hypothyroidism might increase the risk of early atherosclerosis even in the neonatal period.
