Fetal thyroid hormone level at birth is associated with fetal growth.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Thyroid function is known to play an important role in fetal neurological development, but its role in regulating fetal growth is not well established. Overt maternal and fetal thyroid disorders are associated with reduced birth weight. We hypothesized that, even in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction, maternal and fetal thyroid function influence fetal growth.

Aim

In normal, healthy pregnancies, we aimed to assess whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth (as measured in cord blood) is associated with fetal growth. We also aimed to study whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth is associated with maternal thyroid hormone in the third trimester.

Methods

In 616 healthy mother-child pairs, TSH, free T(4) (FT4), and free T(3) (FT3) were measured in mothers at 28

SUBMITTER: Shields BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3100744 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature