Serum Thyroid Function Tests in Neonates of Mothers with Thyroid Disease

Abstract

Maternal thyroid disease can affect the newborn baby leading to neonatal hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Babies born to mothers with thyroid disease get thyroid function tests (TFT) done randomly irrespective of the nature of maternal thyroid disease and medication .The aim of this study was to determine which babies are at-risk and need thyroid function monitoring besides a simple Guthrie screening test and to produce a local guideline for management of this particular cohort of babies. This prospective study done on 30 newborn babies concluded that simple Guthrie screening test is enough to monitor majority of these babies. A new local guideline is formulated accordingly.