[Low serum thyroxin and thyroxin-binding globulin in neonatal respiratory distress (author's transl)]

Measurements of thyroxin (T4), thyroxin-binding globulin (TBG) and TSH were carried out in 34 full-term newborns, 21 prematures and 11 neonates with respiratory distress (6 with hyaline membrane disease) at 5 days of age. In cases with neonatal respiratory distress and to a lesser extent in prematures, low T4 due to a decrease of TBG was found, TSH being identical in all groups. The positive correlation between TBG and transferrin suggests a disturbance in hepatic synthesis. The authors conclude that, in cases with neonatal respiratory distress, low T4 does not mean hypothyroidism and does not require a treatment, provided TSH remains within normal limits.