Objectives:
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is associated with severe morbidity and mortality, which occurs due to surfactant deficiency in the lung. In the present study, we aimed to determine the risk factors for RDS and the effect of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) on RDS in very low birth weight (VLBW<1500 g) infants.
Materials and Methods:
The study was completed between January 2013 and August 2017. Data of eligible infants were obtained from hospital medical records. Patients were divided in to groups with and without CH, and those with and without RDS according to requirement of surfactant therapy.
Results:
Six hundred and seventy patients of 729 patients (gestational age: 27.5±1.3 weeks, birth weight: 1014±219 g) were included in the study, and thyroid function test results were obtained on day 5th respiratory distress syndrome ratio was 71.4% (n=20) in the CH group (n=28) and 61.3% (n=394) in the non-CH group (n=642). Respiratory distress syndrome ratio (71.4%) was found to be statistically higher in CH group than those in non-CH group (61.3%) (p=0.000). The frequency of CH (5.3% vs 2.3%, p=0.015, respectively) was higher in patients with RDS. RDS ratio in those with CH and CHD in those with RDS were found to be higher.
Conclusion:
Based on these findings, it is thought that thyroid hormones may affect lung development and dynamics.
Keywords: Very Low Birth Weight, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Prematurity, Respiratory Distress Syndrome
