Delayed Elevation of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in Newborns Admitted to an NICU

Roughly 2.5% of neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit with low total T4 levels on a second screen at 10–30 days of life had delayed elevation of TSH.

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism in premature infants can be challenging, as elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) may not be present in the first weeks after birth. To characterize the nature of delayed TSH elevation (dTSH), researchers studied 13,201 children admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Israel with low total T4 (TT4) levels at the second screen.

Of these neonates, 333 (2.5%; 51% males) had the first TSH elevation (defined as >15 IU/L) at 10–30 days of age (dTSH). The incidence of dTSH was higher in extremely low birthweight (<1000 g) and normal birthweight neonates (>2500 g) than in very low birthweight or low birthweight neonates. dTSH was associated with the lowest TT4 levels. TSH levels at the first screen o…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Delayed Elevation of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in Newborns Admitted to an NICU

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Reviewing Author