Gestational hypothyroxinemia importance

Reduced Iodine Intake and Iodine Prophylaxis in Pregnancy Importance of Hypothyroxinemia in the First Trimester of Gestation... 

Clinical concern Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THOP) occiu s in 50% of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs 24-28 weeks) and is a major factor of neurodevelopment abnormalities (cognitive delay, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, mental retardation, blindness or epilepsy) [9 ]. THOP characterised by very low total and free T4 levels and normal TSH may be safely treated with continuous infusion of 4 gg/kg/day levothyroxine for 42 days to produce a biochemical euthyroid state (phase I/II trials) [1(P]. There is a pressing need for a phase III trial of thyroid hormone that is of sufficient duration and size to determine whether a clinically important reduction in risk of developmental impairments in ELGANs can be achieved [11 ]. 

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