study on thyroid function on newborns

ABSTRACT

The study included one hundered newborns at Assiut University Hospital. All cases had full clinical assessment including antenatal, natal, and perinatal events and method of feeding. Birth weight, birth length, Apgar score and neonatal jaundice were taken into account. A risk factor score for maternal and neonatal hazards was done for all cases. On the fifth of life a speceimen of venous blood was taken from all newborns and the serum levels of TSH, T3 and rT3 were measured the ratios of T3 / rT3 and / T3 / TSH were calculated. Correlation studies were done for TSH, T3 and rT3 in relation to the risk factors studied. Whereas T3 level was significantly higher in newborns belonging to elderly, multiparous mothers and those born by an abnormal method it was significantly lower in the presence of infant risk factors where the preservation of O2 consumption, body heat and energy is needed. Newborns with higher score for risk factors had significantly higher percentage frequency of abnormal high rT3 and of abnormally low T3. Neither maternal nor neonatal risk factors seemed to have any effect on T.S.G. level. In Conclusion. Maternal risk factors seem to raise the level of thyroid hormones whereas neonatal risk factors seem to decrease this level. It is recommended to include measurement of T.S.H in screening programs for detection of hypothyroidism particularly in developing countries where maternal and neonatal risk factors prevail. It is not advisable to give thyroxine medication to every newborn with low T3 level especially in the presence of neonatal risk factors