Title
Transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity and problem behavior in young adulthood
Author
Hollanders, J.J.
van der Pal, S.M.
Verkerk, P.H.
Rotteveel, J.
Finken, M.J.J.
Publication year
2016
Abstract
Introduction Preterm newborns are at risk of developing transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THoP), which has been associated with subsequent neurodevelopmental impairments. Behavioral outcomes at adult age after THoP have never been reported. Aim To examine whether there is an association between THoP and problem behavior at young adult age. Methods This study was part of the follow-up of 19-year-old subjects born very preterm (i.e., <32 weeks) and/or with a very low birth weight (i.e., <1500 g) from the Project On Preterm and Small-for-gestational-age infants (POPS) cohort. We included 468 subjects of the POPS cohort; of whom 123 had THoP. Thyroxine (T4) concentrations were obtained through the national neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism. THoP was defined as a T4 concentration <-3 SD (approximately 60 nmol/L). At age 19, behavior was assessed using the Young Adult Self Report and the Young Adult Behavioral Checklist for parents. Results THoP was associated with a 1.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–3.4) −fold increased odds of self-reported Internalizing behavior, as well as with a 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1–3.1) −fold increased odds of parent-reported Total problem behavior. These relations persisted after correction for demographic and perinatal variables. Similar associations were absent for the other self-reported and parent-reported syndrome and problem scales. Conclusions THoP was associated with more internalizing and total problem behavior at age 19. While our observations warrant more awareness of problem behavior in preterm infants, at present, it is unclear whether these associations are causal and screening for THoP does not seem necessary.
Subject
Life
CH - Child Health
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Healthy for Life
Health
Healthy Living
Hypothyroxinemia of prematurity
Hypothyroxinemia
Prematurity
Behavior
Problem behavior
Behavioral problems
Adolescence
Young adults
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:35a81802-469e-4f18-be49-25e97d4de641
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.06.008
TNO identifier
747114
Source
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 72, 40-46
Document type
article