Abstract
The effects of maternal use of multiple psychoactive agents on tests of thyroid function were studied in 15 drug exposed term infants [x b.w.=2700 gms.] and compared to 15 matched healthy newborn infants [x b.w.=3120 gms.] on days 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21. On day 1, all drug exposed infants (DEI) were not receiving treatment for abstinence. During days 4 through 21, all 15 DEI were being treated with paregoric and/or phenobarbital. Serum T4 and T3 measured by CONCEPT 4 micromedic method and serum TSH measured by the CORNING method are tabulated:
Subsequent tests on days 7, 14 and 21 showed no persistent difference between DEI and controls. The possible effects of multiple psychoactive agents taken during pregnancy as well as therapeutic medications for neonatal abstinence may influence the mechanism of thyroid homeostasis before and after birth. Specifically, the enhancement of sulphydryl enzymatic activity that might stimulate β-ring diodinase, specific for 5′ iodine, in effect lowering reverse T3 and increasing active thyronine (inhibiting TSH release and subsequent thyroid secretion and response) is yet to be demonstrated.
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Desai, S., Viliasis, C., Carpenter, G. et al. 400 THYROXINE [T4] AND TRIIODOTHYRONINE [T3] DEPRESSION IN INFANTS EXPOSED TO PSYCHOACTIVE AGENTS IN UTERO. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 506 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00411
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00411
