Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics

The Korean Pediatric Society (대한소아청소년과학회)
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Thyroid dysfunction in premature infants

미숙아에서의 갑상선기능 장애

  • Hong, Ki Bae (Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Ji Yun (Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Chang, Young Pyo (Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yu, Jeesuk (Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine)
  • 홍기배 (단국대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 박지윤 (단국대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 장영표 (단국대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 유지숙 (단국대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실)
  • Received : 2009.02.13
  • Accepted : 2009.08.24
  • Published : 2009.09.15
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Abstract

Purpose : Thyroid hormone is essential for development of the brain in early life. Thyroid dysfunction is more common in the first 2-4 postnatal weeks of life in premature infants than in term infants. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and clinical course of thyroid dysfunction in prematurity. Methods : Premature infants admitted to and given neonatal screenings at Dankook University Hospital between April 1999 and March 2008 were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed medical records and categorized subjects into six groups: normal, hypothyroidism, hyperthyrotropinemia, hypothyroxinemia, delayed onset of hypothyroidism, and delayed onset of hyperthyrotropinemia. Results : Among 599 subjects, 136 (23%) had initially abnormal thyroid function test (TFT); transient hypothyroxinemia was the most frequent condition (118, 20%). In addition, 8 (17%) of 46 subjects with initially normal TFT levels showed delayed onset of hyperthyrotropinemia with or without low free thyroxine ($fT_4$). Thyroxine was prescribed for 10 patients (1.7%) due to low $fT_4$ levels but was discontinued in 9 patients during follow-up. Thyroid scan confirmed ectopic thyroid in one patient. Conclusion : Thyroid dysfunction was frequently seen in premature infants, but most of the conditions were transient. In addition, some infants showed delayed TSH elevation on routine follow-up. Therefore, a recheck of the thyroid function of premature infants at 3-4 weeks is recommended, even if normal thyroid function is initially seen, especially in prematurity of less than 33 weeks of gestational age or birth weight of less than 2,500 grams.

목 적 : 갑상선호르몬은 소아에서 뇌의 발달에 매우 중요한 호르몬이므로 갑상선기능이상에 대한 조기진단 및 치료는 중요하다. 미숙아에서는 이러한 갑상선의 기능이상이 만삭아에 비해 많이 발생한다. 본 연구의 목적은 미숙아에서의 갑상선기능이상의 빈도, 임상양상 및 경과 등을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 1999년 4월에서 2008년 8월까지 단국대학교병원 신생아중환자실에 입원한 37주 미만의 미숙아 802명 중 초기 갑상선기능검사의 결과를 확인 할 수 있었던 599명의 환아를 대상으로 의무기록을 통해 후향적으로 연구하였다. 1, 2차 검사의 결과에 따라 정상군, 일차성 갑상선기능저하증군, 고갑상선자극호르몬혈증군, 저티록신혈증군, 지연된 일차성 갑상선기능저하증군, 지연된 고갑상선자극호르몬혈증군의 6군으로 나누었다. 각 군 간의 임상특징, APGAR 점수 및 여러 위험인자들, 검사결과 등을 비교하였고 갑상선기능이상의 빈도 및 경과, 위험요소 등을 분석하였다. 결 과 : 599명중 1차 갑상선기능이상을 보인 환아는 136명(23%)이었고 저티록신혈증이 20%로 가장 많았다. 처음 NST는 정상이었으나 생후 3-4주경 2차 검사를 시행한 46명 중 8명(17%)에서 갑상상선기능이상을 보였다. 갑상선호르몬은 총 10명에서 투여되었고, 9명에서는 호전을 보여 중단이 가능하였다. 1명은 이소성 갑상선으로 지속적인 복용이 필요한 상태이다. 결 론 : 미숙아에서 갑상선기능 이상은 매우 흔하였고, 대부분 일시적이었다. 때로는 초기 검사에서 정상이었다가 뒤늦은 이상을 보일 수 있으므로 미숙아의 경우 특히 33주 미만 또는 2,500 g 미만의 경우 처음 검사가 정상이더라도 3-4주경에 재검하는 것은 필요하다고 생각한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : dankook University Hospital

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