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Fetal thyroid function

J G Thorpe-Beeston¹, K H Nicolaides

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK.

Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy

|January 1, 1993

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fetal thyroid function can be studied using cordocentesis. Abnormal fetal conditions like hypoxia or anemia can alter thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine levels, indicating developmental impacts.

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Area of Science:

Perinatology
Endocrinology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Cordocentesis enables direct fetal blood sampling for functional assessments.
Fetal thyroid function undergoes significant maturation during gestation, reflected in hormone levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate fetal thyroid function across different gestational ages and in various fetal conditions.
To correlate fetal thyroid hormone levels with fetal growth, oxygenation, and chromosomal status.

Main Methods:

Utilized cordocentesis for fetal blood collection.
Measured fetal serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free thyroxine.
Analyzed hormone levels in relation to gestational age, fetal growth, oxygenation, anemia, and chromosomal abnormalities.

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Main Results:

Normal pregnancy shows increasing fetal TSH, thyroid hormones, and thyroid-binding globulin with gestation.
Maternal thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration stimulates fetal TSH from 25 weeks.
Hypoxemic, growth-retarded fetuses exhibit higher TSH and lower thyroxine.
Anemic and some chromosomally abnormal fetuses (e.g., trisomy 21) show elevated TSH and thyroid hormone levels.

Conclusions:

Fetal thyroid function matures throughout gestation, with measurable hormonal changes.
Fetal thyroid axis is sensitive to adverse conditions such as hypoxia, anemia, and chromosomal abnormalities.
Cordocentesis is a valuable tool for assessing fetal endocrine status in high-risk pregnancies.