Neurodevelopment of preterm infants born at 28 to 36 weeks of gestational age: the role of hypothyroxinemia and long-term outcome at 4 years.
BACKGROUND
Hypothyroxinemia in premature neonates may affect long-term neurodevelopment.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the effects of hypothyroxinemia of the newborn preterm infants born at 28-36 weeks of gestational age (GA) on the neurodevelopment at 4 years of age.


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort study conducted in Madrid, Spain. Forty-six preterm infants were included in the study.


RESULTS
The effects of the exposure to neonatal hypothyroxinemia on mental development were examined.


RESULTS
Using regression analyses we found that neonatal T4 had a positive association with general cognitive index and Verbal index, and neonatal FT4 with general cognitive and Memory indexes at 4 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
The exposure to hypothyroxinemia during the neonatal period of late preterm infants may play role in neurodevelopmental delays. Higher T4 level means a trend to higher indexes and low T4 level means a lower neurodevelopmental indexes at 4 years of age.
Neonatology Unit, University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain. sares@telefonica.net
Susana
S
Ares
José
J
Quero
Jesus
J
Diez
Gabriella
G
Morreale de Escobar
D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine