Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
19:32

Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol

Published on: February 18, 2012

28.7K

Thyroid function and dysfunction in preterm infants-Challenges in evaluation, diagnosis and therapy

Nikolina Zdraveska1, Mirjana Kocova1

  • 1Medical Faculty, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius Skopje, University Children's Hospital, Skopje, Macedonia.

Clinical Endocrinology
|April 17, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid hormone levels are vital for brain development in preterm infants. This review discusses thyroid dysfunction in premature babies, screening, and differentiating transient from permanent conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • Thyroid hormones are essential for brain development from gestation through infancy.
  • Preterm infants, especially those with low birth weight, are at higher risk for thyroid dysfunction due to immature hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid axis.
  • Factors like postnatal illness, medications, and iodine status can influence thyroid function tests in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review thyroid physiology in preterm infants.
  • To discuss the impact of gestational age and neonatal conditions on thyroid function tests.
  • To explore optimal screening strategies and predictors for differentiating transient from permanent thyroid dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of thyroid physiology and dysfunction in preterm neonates.
  • Analysis of factors affecting thyroid function tests in premature infants.
  • Discussion of current guidelines and controversies in screening and treatment.

Main Results:

  • Hypothyroxinaemia of prematurity, often with delayed TSH elevation, is common in low birth weight preterm infants.
  • Transient hypothyroxinaemia is typical, but permanent hypothyroidism can occur due to thyroid dysgenesis or enzyme defects.
  • The neurodevelopmental impact of untreated thyroid dysfunction in premature infants remains largely unknown.

Conclusions:

  • Careful monitoring and long-term follow-up of thyroid function are crucial for preterm infants.
  • Differentiating transient from permanent hypothyroidism requires understanding various influencing factors.
  • Optimal timing for screening and treatment of thyroid dysfunction in premature infants requires further investigation.

Keywords:
embryogenesisneonatal screeningpremature infantthyroid

More Related Videos

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

8.4K
Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit11:50

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Published on: January 7, 2020

27.1K

Related Concept Videos

Functions of Thyroid Hormones01:18

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
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...
4.0K
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones01:20

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Low blood levels of the thyroid hormones — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — signal the hypothalamus to release the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then reaches the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) into the bloodstream.
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...
6.1K
The Thyroid Gland01:23

The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and covers the anterior surface of the trachea. The gland has two lateral lobes connected by a thin tissue mass called the isthmus. Internally, each lobe comprises many small spherical structures known as thyroid follicles, surrounded by a network of blood vessels.
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
5.3K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.6K
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
49
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
71