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Antenatal steroids and thyroid hormone function in preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 1466–1470 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Antenatal steroids (ANS) are used widely for women at risk of preterm delivery. Evidence on the effects of ANS on thyroid hormone function in preterm infants is limited.

Objectives

To determine effects of ANS on thyroid hormone function in preterm infants.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation. Infants were divided into no ANS, partial ANS, and complete ANS groups. Thyroid function tests at day of life 30 were compared.

Results

260 Infants were included. A significantly higher proportion of patients were started on levothyroxine (LT4) in no ANS group and partial ANS group compared to complete ANS group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that infants in no ANS group are more likely to have TSH > 6 μIU ml−1 and started on LT4 compared to complete ANS group.

Conclusion

Infants in no ANS group are more likely to have thyroid dysfunction compared to complete ANS group.

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Acknowledgements

Author contributions

Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi designed the study, drafted the project proposal, collected data, drafted and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Qianqian Zhao involved in designing of the study, did the data analysis, reviewed and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Tarah T. Colaizy involved in designing of the study, reviewed and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi

  2. Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Qianqian Zhao

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Tarah T. Colaizy

Authors
  1. Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi
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  2. Qianqian Zhao
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  3. Tarah T. Colaizy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dinushan C. Kaluarachchi.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Kaluarachchi, D.C., Zhao, Q. & Colaizy, T.T. Antenatal steroids and thyroid hormone function in preterm infants. J Perinatol 38, 1466–1470 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0225-5

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