lnfluence of some factors associated with pregnancy and delivery on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in umbilical cord sera

Abstract

Neonate measurements and delivery method were correlated with levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in umbilical cord blood. Concentrations of serum TSH were measured in 360 healthy term neonates from both sexes.Two hundred and thorty five infants were born by normal vaginal deliveries, 105 were born by distosic delivery and 29 by cesarean section. Serum concentrations were measured by using the UMELISA TSH produced at the Centro de Inmunoensayo, Havana, Cuba. No significant differences (Student's t tests p<0.05) in TSH concentrations were detected among the three infant groups. Other factors such as birth weight, sex, gestational age, duration of labour and race were not significantly correlated with TSH levels. Neonates with rneconium and prolonged (more than 12 hours) rupture of membranes were more frequently associated with high values of TSH serum concentrations.