Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
No Association Between Transient Hypothyroxinemia of Prematurity and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Young Adulthood
Jonneke J Hollanders1, Joël Israëls1, Sylvia M van der Pal1
1Department of Pediatrics (J.J.H., J.I., J.R., M.J.J.F.), VU University Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (S.M.v.d.P., P.H.V.), Child Health, 2316 ZL Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THoP) did not impact adult intelligence or motor skills. This long-term study found no lasting neurodevelopmental effects in young adults born very preterm.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THoP) is linked to neurodevelopmental issues in early life.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes into adulthood following THoP are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between THoP and intelligence quotient (IQ) and motor functioning in young adulthood.
- To determine if early-life THoP has persistent effects on cognitive and motor development.
Main Methods:
- A 19-year follow-up of the Project On Preterm and Small-for-gestational-age birth (POPS) cohort.
- Included 398 participants born very preterm or with very low birth weight, with 120 identified as having THoP.
- Assessed IQ and motor function using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between THoP and IQ scores in young adults (mean difference: 0 points).
- No significant association was found between THoP and motor function (mean difference: 0.6 points).
- Adjustments for demographic and perinatal factors did not alter these findings.
Conclusions:
- Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity is not associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 19.
- Early-life thyroid hormone deficiency in preterm infants does not appear to affect adult cognitive or motor function.
Context:
Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THoP) has been associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in infancy and childhood. It is not known whether these relations persist into adulthood.
Objective:
The objective was to examine whether there is an effect of THoP on intelligence quotient (IQ) score and motor functioning at a young adult age.
Design:
This study was part of the 19-year follow-up of the Project On Preterm and Small-for-gestational-age birth (POPS) cohort, which included infants born very preterm (ie, <32 wk) and/or with a very low birth weight (ie, <1500 g).
Setting:
This was a multicenter study.
Patients:
There were 398 19-year-old participants of the POPS cohort, of whom 120 had THoP.
Exposure:
T4 concentrations were obtained through the national neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism. THoP was defined as a total T4 concentration < -3 SD of the daily mean (approximately 60 nmol/L).
Main Outcome Measures:
Main outcome measures were IQ and motor functioning, measured with the digital Multicultural Capacities Test-Intermediate Level and a revised version of Touwen's examination of minor neurological dysfunction, respectively.
Results:
THoP was not associated with IQ score (mean difference, 0 [95% confidence interval, -3.8 to 3.8] points) or motor function (mean difference, 0.6 [95% confidence interval, -1.3 to 2.5] points) after adjustment for demographic and perinatal characteristics.
Conclusions:
No associations between THoP and neurodevelopmental outcome at age 19 years were found.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Functions of Thyroid Hormones
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
01:20Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
01:07Teratogenicity
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview