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Lack of association between gestational age adjusted TSH percentiles and neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm

V B Nicksic1, D B Allen1, M A Stanley1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.

Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
|March 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mildly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in preterm infants do not appear to impact neurodevelopment or growth. This study found no correlation between TSH percentiles and long-term outcomes in premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Subclinical hypothyroidism, indicated by mildly elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, has limited evidence regarding its effects on preterm infant neurodevelopment and growth.
  • Preterm infants are at risk for various developmental challenges, making the investigation of factors like TSH levels crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gestational age-adjusted TSH percentiles and neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in preterm infants.
  • To determine if mildly elevated TSH levels in early infancy predict later developmental issues.

Main Methods:

  • Univariate linear regression analysis was employed.
  • The study included infants born before 32 weeks of gestational age.
  • TSH percentile on the last newborn screen was correlated with neurodevelopmental assessment scores and growth at 18-22 months corrected age.

Main Results:

  • Seventy-four preterm infants (mean gestational age 28.8 weeks) were analyzed.
  • No significant correlation was found between the last TSH percentile and the Bayley-III cognitive composite score.
  • No association was observed between TSH percentiles and other neurodevelopmental or growth outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Higher TSH percentiles, suggestive of potential subclinical hypothyroidism, did not predict adverse neurodevelopmental or growth outcomes in this cohort of preterm infants.
  • These findings suggest that mild TSH elevations may not be a significant risk factor for developmental impairments in preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
NeurodevelopmentTSHpretermsubclinical hypothyroidism

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