title: Thyroid functions of neonates with Down syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate thyroid functions and volumes and detect abnormalities in 80 neonates with Down syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data about free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin and urinary iodine levels, and ultrasonographic thyroid volume were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormal thyroid function tests were detected in 53.8% of the patients (n = 50) and these were hyperthyrotropinemia, hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency and iodine overload in 32, 2, 12 and 4 patients, respectively. Thyroid volumes were assessed in 36 patients and a total of 17 abnormalities were detected (7 hypoplasia, 3 agenesis and 7 goiter). In patients with hyperthyrotropinemia mean thyroid volume was significantly greater and mean TSH was significantly higher when compared to the patients without hyperthyrotropinemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neonatal screening by thyroid function tests in Down syndrome should be performed to prevent further intellectual deterioration and improve overall development. In the neonatal period, the risk of hyperthyrotropinemia should be kept in mind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Turkey. drdilekcoban@gmail.com
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sarici
authors.forename: Mustafa Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurtoglu
authors.forename: Tamer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gunes
authors.forename: Mehmet Adnan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akcakus
mesh_terms: D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests