Postnatal thyroid hormones for preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia

Osborn DA, Hunt R

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

A systematic overview of randomised trials does not provide sufficient evidence to determine whether thyroid hormone treatment of preterm infants with transiently low thyroid hormone levels results in changes in neonatal outcomes or reductions in developmental impairments. Extremely premature infants frequently have transiently low thyroid hormone levels in the first weeks after birth. These low thyroid hormone levels are associated with an increased incidence of complications and death in the newborn period and longer term developmental impairments. Thyroid hormone therapy might prevent these problems. One small trial comparing thyroid hormone treatment to no treatment of infants with transiently low thyroid hormone levels reported no benefit from treatment of these infants. However, this is insufficient evidence to determine if thyroid hormone treatment is effective. Further research is needed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Extremely premature infants are at risk of transient hypothyroxinaemia in the first weeks after birth. These low thyroid hormone levels are associated with an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity, mortality and longer term developmental impairments. Thyroid hormone therapy might prevent these problems.

Objectives:

To determine the evidence for thyroid hormone therapy in preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia (low thyroid hormone level, normal TSH) for improvement of neonatal outcomes and neurodevelopment.

Search strategy:

Searches were performed of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 - March 2006), PREMEDLINE (March 2006), EMBASE (1980 - March 2006), previous reviews including cross references, abstracts and conference proceedings, supplemented by requests to expert informants.

Selection criteria:

Trials enrolling preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia (low thyroid hormone level, normal TSH level) in the neonatal period, using random or quasi-random patient allocation to thyroid hormone therapy compared to control (placebo or no treatment).

Data collection and analysis:

Independent assessment of trial quality and data extraction by each review author. Synthesis of data using relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) using standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group.

Main results:

Only one study was eligible. Chowdhry (1984) enrolled 23 infants < 1250 g and 25 - 28 weeks gestation with transient hypothyroxinaemia (serum total T4 ≤ 4 μg/dl and TSH ≤ 20 IU/L). Infants were randomised to thyroxine 10 μg/kg/day or placebo beginning on day 15 and continuing daily for seven weeks. Chowdhry (1984) reported no neonatal mortality and one infant death in each group prior to discharge. No significant difference was reported in CLD at 28 days or 36 weeks, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotising enterocolitis, retinopathy or prematurity, weight gain, growth in head circumference or length. No significant difference was reported for mean T4 levels between thyroxine and placebo treated infants on day 21, 35, 49, 63 and 77 after birth. Free T4 was not measured. Neurodevelopmental follow up was inadequate to draw any conclusions from.

Authors' conclusions:

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether use of thyroid hormones for treatment of preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia results in changes in neonatal morbidity and mortality, or reductions in neurodevelopmental impairments. Further research is required.

This record should be cited as:

Osborn DA, Hunt R. Postnatal thyroid hormones for preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD005945. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005945.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

October 11, 2006

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Primary Review Group:

Neonatal Group

Health topics:

Neonatal care > Other

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Postnatal thyroid hormones for preterm infants with transient hypothyroxinaemia

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