Unfolding the perinatal factors that affect cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone levels- an experience from a rural centre in southern India

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism using cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone (CB-TSH) levels and examining the influence of maternal and perinatal factors on these levels in our cohort of babies. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital, China Kakani, A.P. Methods: CB-TSH levels were measured in 2012 live-born neonates using electro chemiluminescence immunoassay. The effect of various maternal and perinatal factors on CB-TSH levels was analyzed statistically by multivariate analysis. Results: The mean CB-TSH was 8.86 micro IU/ml (ranged between 0.23 to 100micro IU/ml). The incidence of high CB-TSH (>20microIU/ml) was 4.82%. CB-TSH levels were significantly raised in neonates delivered in 1st and 2nd birth order, assisted vaginal deliveries, need for emergency section, and who were born with low APGAR scores (p