Analysis of Normal Thyroid Dimensions in Healthy Neonates Measured by Ultrasonography in South Turkey Mersin Erdemli Province

• Published in: Güncel pediatri 2014-12, Vol.12 (3)
• Main Authors: Akça, Alper, Orekici, Gülhan, Pinarbasili, Tansu, Yalçin, Hüseyin, Ten, Baris
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; tur
• ISSN: 1304-9054; 1308-6308
• DOI: 10.4274/jcp.94914

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to perform reference values for thyroid gland measured by ultrasound in 3 orthogonal planes in healthy Turkish newborn in Erdemli Mersin province. There are few publications for referential values for normal thyroid gland dimensions in Turkish newborns available and to the best of our knowledge there is no study from Mersin-Mediterranean Region. Association between the data obtained and birth weight, sex, gestational week values were also recorded. Materials and Methods: After approval of the hospital ethic board, 49 healthy newborns of whom informed consents were obtained from their family were included in the study. All individuals were born in Erdemli State Hospital and were scanned in the postnatal first week. For the ultrasound measurements, Esaote mylab 60 scanner was used with a 7.5 Mhz linear transducer. Thyroid was scanned in supine position in both axial and sagital planes. Right and left lobes of thyroid were measured individually and recorded. Infants with congenital malformations and with a history of maternal hyper- and hypothyroidism were excluded from the study. Correlation was soughed between thyroid dimensions and gestational age, sex, fetal birth weight. Results: A total of 22 male, 27 female infants were scanned. Birth weight varied between 2900-4000 grams. Craniocaudal, transverse and anterior-posterior measurements of the right and left thyroid lobes were 15.2-15.4 mm, 6.5-7 mm, 6.7-6.7 mm, respectively. There was no correlation between the thyroid measurements and gender, birth weight and gestational age. Conclusions: Ultrasound is a practical method for anatomic assessment of the thyroid gland in newborns. This study provides normal values for ultrasonographically measured thyroid dimensions in euthyroid Turkish newborns in Mersin province. Further studies on larger study groups should be performed in order to present national standards.