Interrelations between prematurity and iodine deficiency on the fetal thyroid

Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the influence of iodine deficiency and of prematurity on the fetal thyroid volume, immediately after birth. Methods: In this study there were 104 newborns (aged 33.12±2.48 weeks, range 26–37 weeks). Four groups were identified: group A –18 premature newborns from iodine sufficient area (IS), group B –19 premature newborns from iodine deficient area (ID), group C –43 newborns in term from IS and group D –24 newborns in term from ID area. The fetal thyroid volume has been measured by ultrasonography within 24 hours before birth and the serum concentrations of TSH were analyze…