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Developmental Trends in Postnatal Thyroid Hormones and Thyroid Dysfunction in Preterm Infants Born at less than 34

Shaohong Chen1,2, Xiaoyan Lu1, Bicheng Yang2

  • 1Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

Fetal and Pediatric Pathology
|April 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid dysfunction is common in preterm infants, affecting over 50%. Lower birth weight and gestational age are key risk factors for abnormal thyroid function tests in premature neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm infants exhibit unique physiological characteristics that can impact thyroid function.
  • Thyroid hormone levels naturally fluctuate with gestational and postnatal age in neonates.
  • Understanding thyroid function in this population is crucial for appropriate clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in thyroid function tests (TFTs) in preterm infants.
  • To evaluate the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in this vulnerable group.
  • To identify factors influencing thyroid function in preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of TFT results and risk factors.
  • Inclusion of preterm infants with gestational ages between 25 and 34 weeks.
  • Correlation of thyroid dysfunction with clinical parameters such as birth weight and Apgar score.

Main Results:

  • A high frequency of thyroid dysfunction (50.3%) was observed in preterm infants.
  • Delayed TSH elevation occurred in 5.8% of infants.
  • Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity was linked to lower birth weight and gestational age; congenital hypothyroidism was associated with lower birth weight, Apgar score, and dopamine use.

Conclusions:

  • Thyroid hormone levels in preterm infants are dynamic and influenced by gestational and postnatal age.
  • The incidence of thyroid dysfunction is high in premature infants and negatively correlates with gestational age and birth weight.
  • Identifying risk factors aids in managing thyroid abnormalities in preterm neonates.
Abstract

Keywords:
Pretermcongenital hypothyroidismdelayed TSH elevationthyroid functiontransient hypothyroxinaemia of prematurity

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