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Does thyroid function disorder play a vital role in the pathogenesis of neonatal cholestasis?

Salma Abdel Megeed Nagi1,2, Mai Ibrahim Elashmawy3, Mohamed Zaeim Hafez Ahmed4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, King Salman International University, El Tor Branch, South Sinai, Egypt.

Clinical and Experimental Hepatology
|April 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid dysfunction may play a role in neonatal cholestasis. Infants with cholestasis not caused by biliary atresia showed higher triiodothyronine (T3) levels, suggesting a potential diagnostic link.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Neonatal cholestasis is a critical condition in infants with diverse etiologies.
  • Thyroid dysfunction is an underrecognized factor potentially contributing to neonatal cholestasis.
  • Existing research links thyroid conditions to liver damage in newborns, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess thyroid function in infants diagnosed with neonatal cholestasis.
  • To explore the potential role of thyroid dysfunction in the diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis, differentiating between biliary atresia and other causes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 100 infants with neonatal cholestasis was studied.
  • Infants were categorized into biliary atresia (BA) and non-BA groups (50 each).
  • Serum levels of free triiodothyronine (T3), free tetraiodothyronine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured.

Main Results:

  • Free triiodothyronine (T3) levels were significantly elevated in the non-BA group compared to the BA group.
  • No significant differences were observed in free tetraiodothyronine (T4) or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels between the groups.
  • These findings indicate a potential association between altered T3 levels and specific causes of neonatal cholestasis.

Conclusions:

  • Thyroid function, specifically T3 levels, may be linked to neonatal cholestasis.
  • Elevated T3 in the non-BA group suggests thyroid dysfunction could be a relevant factor in diagnosing non-biliary atresia cholestasis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of thyroid hormones in neonatal cholestasis pathophysiology and diagnosis.
Abstract

Keywords:
biliary atresiahyperthyroidismneonatal cholestasispathogenesisthyroid function

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