Thyroid Function in Sick and Healthy Preterm Infants Admitted in NICU of Assiut University Children Hospital

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Thyroid hormones are the cornerstones of a complex system that plays an important role in the growth and development of children, especially in the development of the nervous system and brain. Therefore, even minimal disruptions of this system can cause permanent damage. Thyroid dysfunction is a common problem in pre-term infants. Hypothyroxinemia of prematurity within the first month of life may represent important prognostic information about morbidity and mortality. Thyroid hormone synthesis may be disrupted in co-morbid conditions . worsening the metabolism of premature infants and causing higher hormone levels compared to healthy infants.

Detailed Description
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The most common thyroid function disorder in premature infants is physiological hypothyroxinemia, followed by hypothyroidism of non-thyroidal causes. In pre-maturity, several factors can inhibit the conversion of peripheral T4 to T3, including hypoxemia, acidosis, infections, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia and malnutrition . Some rare conditions include transient secondary/tertiary hypothyroidism, transient primary hypothyroidism and permanent primary hypothyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction has been reported to be more common in infants with low birth weight due to inadequate intrauterine nutrition, hypoxia, and acidosis.In addition, a meta-analysis found that birth weight and gestation week age closely related to thyroid function tests. Plasma T4, FT4, T3, rT3, (thyroid stimulating hormone), and (thyroxin binding globulin) concentrations during the first 8 weeks after birth in infants of 28-30 weeks gestation and in infants of <28 weeks gestation.

Official Title
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Thyroid Function in Sick and Healthy Preterm Infants Admitted in NICU of Assiut University Children Hospital

Conditions
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Thyroid Dysfunction

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All preterm infants (<37w gestational age) admitted to NICU unit of assiut university children hospital with various problems as : •respiratory distress hypoxia sepsis necrotizing enterocolitis receiving TPN (total parental nutrition) infants presented with jaundice. Another group of healthy preterm of comparable gestational age not complaining from any problems coming to routine postnatal checkup and outpatient clinic of neonatal unit will be taken . Exclusion Criteria: preterm infants with : • fetal congenital malformations.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Days
Maximum Age: 10 Days

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthy preterm infants<br>Thyroid function in Preterm infants not needing hospital admission will be estimated at day 3 and day 10 of life. | |
| Sick preterm infants<br>Thyroid function in sick preterm infants admitted to NICU will be estimated at day 3 and day 10 of life . | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thyroid function | TSH level free T3 freeT4 | 10 days |