Iodine Intake, Thyroid Function and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Preterm Infants from 24 to 30 Weeks Gestation

Abstract

Neonatal hypothyroxinemia has been linked to increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities. The objective is to evaluate iodine status and thyroid function of premature babies and to correlate the data with neurodevelopment at 2 years. 67 infants were enrolled. Gestational age in weeks (27.5±0.2) and weight (986.5±30.8 gr). Breast milk contained 25.8±1.4 µg I/100 ml and formulae were 10 µg I /100 ml. Only 20% of the babies had an iodine intake above 30 µg I/Kg. Thyroid hormones were negatively correlated by a low iodine intake. There were differences in neurodevelopmental indexes with lower iodine intake. Iodine intake should be ensured during the neonatal period by breast milk or preterm formulae with high iodine content.