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Association between Thyroid Function and Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants
Yonghyuk Kim1, Youngjin Kim1, Meayoung Chang2
1Department of Pediatrics, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, 20, Ilsan-ro, Wonju-si 26426, Korea.
Lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in preterm infants shortly after birth are linked to a higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This suggests impaired thyroid function contributes to RDS and surfactant deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Endocrinology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Thyroid hormones are crucial for pulmonary surfactant production and secretion.
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common complication in preterm infants.
- The precise relationship between thyroid hormones and RDS requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thyroid hormone levels and the incidence of RDS in preterm infants.
- To determine if thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are predictive of RDS development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 146 preterm infants (24–33 weeks gestational age).
- Measurement of T3, free T4 (fT4), and TSH at 1, 3, and 6 weeks post-birth.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between RDS and TSH levels.
Main Results:
- Infants with RDS exhibited lower T3 and TSH levels on the day of birth compared to those without RDS (p < 0.05).
- Lower serum TSH levels immediately after birth were significantly associated with a higher incidence of RDS (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81–0.97).
Conclusions:
- TSH levels are associated with the incidence of RDS in preterm infants.
- Suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis function may contribute to RDS development.
- This suggests a role for thyroid hormone regulation in preventing surfactant deficiency and RDS.
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