Effect of perinatal factors on cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone levels.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of perinatal factors on cord blood (CB) TSH levels.


METHODS
In a prospective cross-sectional study, CB TSH levels were measured in 1,590 live-born infants using IRMA. The effect of various perinatal factors on the CB TSH levels was analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
The mean TSH level in the study group was 10.6 +/- 6.7 microU/ml (range 0.01-66.4 microU/ml). A significant fall in CB TSH levels was noted with increasing gestational age. A similar decline was noted in TSH levels with increase in birth weight. No significant difference in TSH levels was noted between males and females, or AGA and SGA (n = 296) infants. Infants with birth asphyxia (Apgar score < 4 at 5 min) had significantly higher CB TSH levels (mean 31 microU/ml, n = 18) as compared to those without (mean 10.4 microU/ml) (p < 0.01). The highest TSH levels were noted in neonates delivered by forceps extraction (mean 29.4 microU/ml, n = 17) and lowest levels in infants born by elective Caesarian section (mean 8.7 microU/ml, n = 149).


CONCLUSIONS
CB TSH levels fall with increase in gestational age while birth asphyxia and difficult deliveries tend to elevate them.
Rashmi
Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Timarpur, India.
Seth
Anju
A
Sekhri
Tarun
T
Agarwal
Abha
A
D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D013972:Thyrotropin