Effect of levothyroxine on the development of preterm infants

Abstract

Background: In preterm infants, thyroid disorders are very common but transient, and the cord blood T4 concentration is lower in preterm infants, compared to term infants, and its rate is usually related to gestational age and birth weight. And the effect of Levothyroxine on the nervous system development of preterm infants is still unclear. Aims: We aimed to evaluate Effect of Levothyroxine on the Development of Preterm Infants. Methods: Newborn infants born with GA <33, if TSH <10, were classified into two groups, which one was just monitored (control group), and in the other group, treatment was started using Levothyroxine (5 μg / kg) and continued up to the age of six weeks (case group). At the ages of four and six months, the ASQ test was performed to assess nervous system development. Results: There was no significant difference in the growth parameters of both groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in different areas of Neurodevelopment of both groups. Conclusions: According to the research results, after 4 and 6 months, no significant difference was observed between the gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, individual-social, and establishing communication areas of both case and control groups. Both mean ASQ scores, after 4 and 6 months, and neonatal growth parameters were not affected by Levothyroxine.

Keywords

• Levothyroxine
• Preterm infants
• Neurodevelopment
• ASQ