Thyroid Function in Sick and Healthy Preterm Infants Admitted in NICU of Assiut University Children Hospital

Thyroid hormones are the cornerstones of a complex system that plays an important role in the growth and development of children, especially in the development of the nervous system and brain. Therefore, even minimal disruptions of this system can cause permanent damage.Thyroid dysfunction is a common problem in pre-term infants. Hypothyroxinemia of prematurity within the first month of life may represent important prognostic information about morbidity and mortality. Thyroid hormone synthesis may be disrupted in co-morbid conditions . worsening the metabolism of premature infants and causing higher hormone levels compared to healthy infants.

Inclusion Criteria:All preterm infants (<37w gestational age) admitted to NICU unit of assiut university children hospital with various problems as : •respiratory distresshypoxiasepsisnecrotizing enterocolitisreceiving TPN (total parental nutrition)infants presented with jaundice.Another group of healthy preterm of comparable gestational age not complaining from any problems coming to routine postnatal checkup and outpatient clinic of neonatal unit will be taken .Exclusion Criteria:preterm infants with : • fetal congenital malformations.