[Physiopathological implications of thyroid function in premature infants].
The last two decades have been characterized by a remarkable improvement of the methods used for the determination of thyroid hormones concentration as well as by mass screening of congenital hypothyroidism. This has resulted in an expanded knowledge on the development of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid function in the fetus and in newborn. The paper presents the latest advancements in this field. The following thyroid dysfunction syndromes in premature infants are discussed: transient hypothyroxinemia, transient primary hypothyroidism, transient idiopathic hyperthyrotropinemia, low T3 - syndrome. All these conditions should be taken into consideration while determining the thyroid function in premature infants, particularly while screening newborns with congenital hypothyroidism.
Korman
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