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[Thyroid hormone Levels in very preterm neonates and extremely preterm]

Carlos Kilchemmann F1, Andrés Román N2, Marcela Navarrete R2

  • 1Escuela de Obstetricia y Puericultura, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Chile.

Revista Chilena De Pediatria
|May 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid function in preterm infants varies. This study found lower free thyroxine (FT4) levels in extremely preterm infants compared to moderately preterm infants at 15 days old.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm infant thyroid function is affected by immature regulatory axes, disease, and medications.
  • Establishing normal free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in preterm infants is challenging.
  • This study addresses the controversy surrounding normal FT4 levels in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the distribution of FT4 and TSH values in preterm infants.
  • To analyze these values at 15 days of chronological age.
  • To investigate variations based on gestational age categories.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 308 newborns.
  • Infants were categorized into gestational age groups: 31-34, 28-30, and 23-27 weeks.
  • Statistical analysis included Pearson Chi-square, T-Test, and ANOVA.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in average FT4 levels were found across gestational age ranges (p=0.000).
  • FT4 levels were 1.13 ng/dl (31-34 wks), 1.03 ng/dl (28-30 wks), and 0.92 ng/dl (23-27 wks).
  • No significant differences in TSH levels were observed across gestational age categories (p=0.663).

Conclusions:

  • Established FT4 and TSH level distributions for very preterm and extremely preterm infants in the studied population.
  • Findings indicate differences compared to previously published data.
  • Highlights the need for population-specific reference ranges for FT4 in preterm infants.
Abstract

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