title: No Association between Elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone at Birth and Parent-Reported Problem Behavior at Preschool Age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mild level of iodine deficiency during pregnancy may reduce maternal thyroid hormone production and supply to the fetus hence affecting brain neurodevelopment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between elevated neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level (>5 mU/L), used as a marker of maternal mild iodine deficiency during late pregnancy, and behavioral development of preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cohort study included 310 Belgian mothers and their children aged 4-5 years old with TSH levels in the range of 0.45-15 mU/L at birth. The TSH level was measured in dried blood spots on filter paper collected by heel stick 3-5 days after birth. Low birth weight, prematurely born children, or children with congenital hypothyroidism were excluded. The degree of behavioral problems was evaluated using theChild Behavior Check List (CBCL) for age 1½-5 yearsquestionnaire. Relevant socioeconomic, maternal, and child factors were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSH concentrations and CBCL scores were not associated both in univariate analysis and when adjusting for confounding factors in multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated TSH concentrations measured at birth was not associated with behavioral development scores.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trumpff
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Schepper
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanderfaeillie
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vercruysse
authors.affiliation: Unit of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tafforeau
authors.affiliation: Unit of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Oyen
authors.affiliation: Unit of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandevijvere
keywords: behavioral problems; iodine deficiency; pregnancy; preschool children; thyroid-stimulating hormone