The relation of transient hypothyroxinemia in preterm infants to neurologic development at two years of age

Article Abstract:

Severe deficiency of the thyroid hormone thyroxine in premature infants appears to confer a greater risk of neurological problems at age 2. Premature infants commonly have low thyroxine levels, or hypothyroxinemia, that eventually reach normal levels during development. Researchers compared blood thyroxine levels determined within a week of birth in 536 premature infants to the risk of developing cerebral palsy in 463 of the children two years later and the risk of mental retardation in 400 children two years later. After adjustment for gestational age, children who had severe hypothyroxinemia were almost 11 times more likely to develop disabling cerebral palsy than children with normal thyroxine levels. Mental development scores were about 15 points lower with prior hypothyroxinemia. After adjustment for additional factors such as brain injury and mother's education, risk of cerebral palsy was about 4 times greater and mental development scores were about 7 points lower.

Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Hypothyroidism, Infant development, Mental retardation, Thyroxine

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Markers of asphyxia and neonatal brain injury

Article Abstract:

A prenatal marker is needed to identify fetuses with hypoxia who may develop cerebral palsy. Hypoxia is low blood levels of oxygen. Hypoxia in the fetus is usually caused by reduced blood flow through the placenta, which deprives the fetus of oxygen. This in turn can cause brain damage. A 1999 study found that measuring the ratio of lactate to creatinine in urine shortly after birth may identify infants with hypoxia. More research is needed before this technique can be used routinely to identify infants at risk of cerebral palsy.

Editorial, Diagnosis, Fetal anoxia

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Major depressive disorder in the 6 months after miscarriage

Article Abstract:

Women who have miscarriages are likely to develop depression within 6 months of the miscarriage. In a study of 229 women who had a miscarriage and 230 similar women who did not, the risk of depression in the 6 months following miscarriage was 2.5 times greater in the women who miscarried. Childlessness and a history of depression increased the risk even further. This indicates that women who miscarry should be monitored and supportive counseling or treatment with drugs should be given when necessary.

Psychological aspects, Causes of, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Miscarriage

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