Former Very Preterm Infants Show Alterations in Thyroid Function at a Preschool Age

Preterm birth is frequently associated with altered thyroid hormone levels in the newborn period. Recent data suggest a role of prematurity independent of birth size also in childhood thyroid dysfunction. Whether the high-risk population of former very preterm infants (VPI) is particularly susceptible to thyroid hormone alterations is currently unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess whether former VPI display changes in thyroid hormone status in comparison to term-born controls at a preschool age. Free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were determined in former VPI and same-aged children born at term at five to seven years of age. 31 former term infants and 82 former VPI were included in the study. In comparison to children born at term, former VPI had lower fT4 (16.1±1.8 versus 17.0±2.1 pmol/l), higher fT3 (6.8±0.7 versus 6.5 pmol/l), and higher TSH levels (3.0±1.4 versus 2.3±1.0 μU/l), independent of major neonatal morbidities. As subclinical changes in thyroid hormone status are potentially associated with adverse health profiles, close follow-up of these children is warranted.

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Body Composition in Very Preterm Infants: Role of Neonatal Characteristics and Nutrition in Achieving Growth Similar to Term Infants

Neonatology ◽

10.1159/000450882 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 111 (3) ◽

pp. 214-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Geneviève Tremblay ◽

Christine Boudreau ◽

Sylvie Bélanger ◽

Odette St-Onge ◽

Etienne Pronovost ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Term Infants ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: Outcome up to preschool age, in a single center of Austria

Pediatrics International ◽

10.1111/ped.13815 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 381-387 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Friedrich Reiterer ◽

Anna Scheuchenegger ◽

Bernhard Resch ◽

Ute Maurer‐Fellbaum ◽

Alexander Avian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Single Center ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Postnatal thyroid hormone replacement in very preterm infants

Seminars in Perinatology ◽

10.1053/sper.2001.27550 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 417-425 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Joke H. Kok ◽

Judy M. Briet ◽

Aleid G. van Wassenaer

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormone ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Thyroid Hormone Replacement ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Thyroid Function and Thyroid Hormone Requirements of Very Preterm Infants

NeoReviews ◽

10.1542/neo.1-6-e116 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 1 (6) ◽

pp. 116e-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A. G. van Wassenaer ◽

J. H. Kok

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormone ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Longitudinal Cognitive Assessment in Low-Risk Very Preterm Infants

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina58010133 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 133

Author(s):

Domenico M. Romeo ◽

Martina Ricci ◽

Federica Mirra ◽

Ilaria Venezia ◽

Maria Mallardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Low Risk ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Cognitive Assessments ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm ◽

Normal Ranges ◽

Neurodevelopmental Impairment

Background and Objectives: Preterm infants are at higher risk of neurodevelopmental impairment both at preschool and school ages, even in the absence of major neurological deficits. The early identification of children at risk is essential for early intervention with rehabilitation to optimize potential outcomes during school years. The aim of our study is to assess cognitive outcomes at preschool age in a cohort of low-risk very preterm infants, previously studied at 12 and 24 months using the Griffiths scales. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six low-risk very preterm infants born at a gestational age of <32 weeks were assessed at 12 and 24 months corrected age using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (second edition) and at preschool age with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence (third edition) (WPPSI-III). Results: At 12 and 24 months and at preschool age, low-risk very preterm infants showed scores within normal ranges with similar scores in males and females. A statistically significant correlation was observed in the general developmental quotient between 12 and 24 months; a further significant correlation was observed between the early cognitive assessments and those performed at preschool age, with a better correlation using the assessments at 24 months. Conclusion: The present study showed a favourable trajectory of cognitive development in low-risk very preterm infants, from 12 months to preschool age.

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Neonatal respiratory dysfunction and neuropsychological performance at the preschool age: A study of very preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Neuropsychology ◽

10.1037/a0023895 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 666-678 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Julie Bapp Newman ◽

Angela Gustafson DeBastos ◽

Daniel Batton ◽

Sarah Raz

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Neuropsychological Performance ◽

Respiratory Dysfunction ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Fat trajectory after birth in very preterm infants mimics healthy term infants

Pediatric Obesity ◽

10.1111/ijpo.12472 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. e12472 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

N. A. Al-Theyab ◽

T. J. Donovan ◽

Y. A. Eiby ◽

P. B. Colditz ◽

B. E. Lingwood

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Term Infants ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm

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Stereophotogrammetric head shape assessment in neonates is feasible and can identify distinct differences between term-born and very preterm infants at term equivalent age

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-00680-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Petra Santander ◽

Anja Quast ◽

Johanna Hubbert ◽

Laura Juenemann ◽

Sebastian Horn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Total Duration ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcome ◽

Small Sample ◽

Head Shape ◽

Term Infants ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Equivalent Age ◽

Very Preterm

AbstractThe development of head shape and volume may reflect neurodevelopmental outcome and therefore is of paramount importance in neonatal care. Here, we compare head morphology in 25 very preterm infants with a birth weight of below 1500 g and / or a gestational age (GA) before 32 completed weeks to 25 term infants with a GA of 37–42 weeks at term equivalent age (TEA) and identify possible risk factors for non-synostotic head shape deformities. For three-dimensional head assessments, a portable stereophotogrammetric device was used. The most common and distinct head shape deformity in preterm infants was dolichocephaly. Severity of dolichocephaly correlated with GA and body weight at TEA but not with other factors such as neonatal morbidity, sex or total duration of respiratory support. Head circumference (HC) and cranial volume (CV) were not significantly different between the preterm and term infant group. Digitally measured HC and the CV significantly correlated even in infants with head shape deformities. Our study shows that stereophotogrammetric head assessment is feasible in all preterm and term infants and provides valuable information on volumetry and comprehensive head shape characteristics. In a small sample of preterm infants, body weight at TEA was identified as a specific risk factor for the development of dolichocephaly.

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Remifentanil Degradation in Umbilical Cord Blood of Preterm Infants

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/aln.0b013e318204e043 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 114 (3) ◽

pp. 570-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Lars Welzing ◽

Sabine Ebenfeld ◽

Verena Dlugay ◽

Martin H. J. Wiesen ◽

Bernhard Roth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Pharmacokinetic Data ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Term Infants ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Cord Serum ◽

Very Preterm

Background No pharmacokinetic data about remifentanil in preterm infants exist, although remifentanil is increasingly used in this especially vulnerable subgroup of pediatric patients. Unfortunately, ethical restrictions in the volume of blood that can be withdrawn for kinetic sampling nearly prohibit pharmacokinetic studies in preterm infants. Methods Because remifentanil is rapidly metabolized by nonspecific blood esterases, we collected umbilical cord serum of preterm and term infants to investigate whether the activity of nonspecific blood esterases depends on gestational age. Umbilical cord serum, buffer solution, ascorbic acid, and remifentanil were mixed in a glass vial placed in a shaking water bath at 37°C. Subsequently, serum samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based analysis of remifentanil and its metabolite GR90291 after 0, 30, 60, 100, and 150 min. Results We analyzed umbilical cord serum samples of 34 preterm infants (24-36 gestational weeks) and six term infants. The degradation rates of remifentanil to its major metabolite GR90291 were comparable in preterm and term infants. The overall median degradation half-life of remifentanil was 143 ± (interquartile range) 47 min (minimum, 76 min; maximum, 221 min) without significant differences between very preterm infants (less than 28 gestational weeks) and term infants. The remifentanil concentration remained stable in control runs without serum. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that very preterm infants exhibit a high nonspecific esterase activity in umbilical cord blood that is comparable with that of term infants. These results support clinical experiences that remifentanil is rapidly metabolized by preterm infants without prolonged side effects.

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