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Thyroid dysfunction in infants with severe intestinal insufficiency: a case series
Gabriela Ibrahim Martins de Castro1, Mário Cícero Falcão1, Juliana Zoboli Del Bigio1
1Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Infants with severe intestinal dysfunction may develop hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency from prolonged parenteral nutrition. This highlights a critical need for iodine monitoring and supplementation in neonatal intensive care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Severe intestinal dysfunction in infants necessitates prolonged parenteral nutrition.
- Thyroid function is crucial for infant development and metabolism.
- Iodine is an essential component for thyroid hormone synthesis.
Observation:
- A retrospective study identified seven infants with severe intestinal insufficiency.
- Four out of seven infants (57.1%) developed thyroid dysfunction.
- Thyroid dysfunction was linked to prolonged parenteral nutrition without iodine supplementation.
Findings:
- The primary cause of hypothyroidism in these cases was identified as iodine deficiency.
- Levothyroxine replacement therapy was administered to affected infants.
- The study highlights a gap in parenteral nutrition protocols regarding iodine content.
Implications:
- Neonatal intensive care units should assess and address iodine status in infants receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.
- Supplementation of iodine in parenteral nutrition solutions is crucial to prevent hypothyroidism.
- Early detection and management of thyroid dysfunction are vital for improved outcomes in infants with intestinal failure.
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