Download PDF
Am J Perinatol 2015; 32(13): 1257-1262
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1552937
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Sonographic Reference Ranges for the Thyroid Gland in Euthyroid Term Newborns

Aleksandra Mikołajczak
1   Department of Neonatal and Intensive Neonatal Care, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
,
Maria Katarzyna Borszewska-Kornacka
1   Department of Neonatal and Intensive Neonatal Care, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
,
Renata Bokiniec
1   Department of Neonatal and Intensive Neonatal Care, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

15 December 2014

10 April 2015

Publication Date:
29 May 2015 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective This study aims to establish the reference ranges for normal thyroid gland (length, width, depth, and volume) in healthy term Polish neonates within the first week of life to aid in the comparative evaluation of infants with suspected thyroid disease.

Study Design A total of 148 term neonates from mothers with normal thyroid function were examined during their first week of life. Ultrasound examination was performed in both longitudinal and transverse projections to create reference value percentile charts for thyroid volume in healthy term neonates.

Results Median (range) width, depth, and length were 0.714 (range, 0.470–0.959), 0.677 (range, 0.527–0.960), 2.07 (range, 1.540–2.870) cm for the right lobe of the thyroid: and 0.720 (range, 0.535–1.010), 0.678 (range, 0.521–0.952), 2.015 (range, 1.620–2.730) cm for the left. Volumes for right lobe, left lobe, and both lobes combined were 0.502 (range, 0.228–0.931), 0.511 (range, 0.294–0.959), and 1.014 (range, 0.526–1.849) mL.

Conclusion Diagnostic ultrasound examination of the thyroid in the neonate is a simple and useful method for assessment of thyroid gland disease and neonatal health. This study provides robust normative data for Polish newborns. Furthermore, we have found different values compared with other countries, particularly Scotland, which underlines the importance of establishing population-based data.

Keywords

newborn - thyroid sonography - thyroid volume - references thyroid values
 

  • References

  • 1 Kędracka B, Barg E. Schorzenia tarczycy u kobiet w czasie ciąży i ich wpływ na rozwój płodu i noworodka – wspólny problem dla położników i pediatrów. Ginek Prakt 2004; 76 (1) 39-44
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Waltman PA, Brewer JM, Lobert S. Thyroid storm during pregnancy. A medical emergency. Crit Care Nurse 2004; 24 (2) 74-79
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Laurberg P. Thyroid function: Thyroid hormones, iodine and the brain-an important concern. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2009; 5 (9) 475-476
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Pérez-López FR. Iodine and thyroid hormones during pregnancy and postpartum. Gynecol Endocrinol 2007; 23 (7) 414-428
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Dussault JH, Fisher DA. Thyroid function in mothers of hypothyroid newborns. Obstet Gynecol 1999; 93 (1) 15-20
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Büyükgebiz A. Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2006; 19 (11) 1291-1298
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Möslinger D, Frisch H, Strobl W, Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S. Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism [in German]. Acta Med Austriaca 1997; 24 (4) 162-164
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Lanting CI, van Tijn DA, Loeber JG, Vulsma T, de Vijlder JJ, Verkerk PH. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the use of the thyroxine/thyroxine-binding globulin ratio to detect congenital hypothyroidism of thyroidal and central origin in a neonatal screening program. Pediatrics 2005; 116 (1) 168-173
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Rose SR, Brown RS, Foley T , et al; American Academy of Pediatrics; Section on Endocrinology and Committee on Genetics, American Thyroid Association; Public Health Committee, Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society. Update of newborn screening and therapy for congenital hypothyroidism. Pediatrics 2006; 117 (6) 2290-2303
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Kreisner E, Camargo-Neto E, Maia CR, Gross JL. Accuracy of ultrasonography to establish the diagnosis and aetiology of permanent primary congenital hypothyroidism. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2003; 59 (3) 361-365
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Perry RJ, Hollman AS, Wood AM, Donaldson MD. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland in the newborn: normative data. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2002; 87 (3) F209-F211
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Kurtoglu S, Ozturk MA, Koklu E , et al. Thyroid volumes in newborns of different gestational ages: normative data. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2008; 93 (2) F171
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Vade A, Gottschalk ME, Yetter EM, Subbaiah P. Sonographic measurements of the neonatal thyroid gland. J Ultrasound Med 1997; 16 (6) 395-399
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Białek EJ, Jakubowski W. Diagnostyka ultrasonograficzna tarczycy, przytarczyc i węzłów chłonnych szyi. Gdańsk 2001; 2: 23-55
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Schroder C, Oppermann HC. Diagnostyka ultrasonograficzna w pediatrii. Wrocław: Urban & Partner; 1999: 61-66
    Google Scholar
  • 16 Chanoine JP, Toppet V, Lagasse R, Spehl M, Delange F. Determination of thyroid volume by ultrasound from the neonatal period to late adolescence. Eur J Pediatr 1991; 150 (6) 395-399
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Léger J, Olivieri A, Donaldson M , et al; ESPE-PES-SLEP-JSPE-APEG-APPES-ISPAE; Congenital Hypothyroidism Consensus Conference Group. European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology consensus guidelines on screening, diagnosis, and management of congenital hypothyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99 (2) 363-384
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Ohnishi H, Inomata H, Watanabe T , et al. Clinical utility of thyroid ultrasonography in the diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism. Endocr J 2002; 49 (3) 293-297
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Ohnishi H, Sato H, Noda H, Inomata H, Sasaki N. Color Doppler ultrasonography: diagnosis of ectopic thyroid gland in patients with congenital hypothyroidism caused by thyroid dysgenesis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003; 88 (11) 5145-5149
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 González M, González CP, Sanabria A. Ultrasonographic estimation of the normal volume of the thyroid gland in pediatric populations [in Spanish]. Biomedica 2006; 26 (1) 95-100
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Müller-Leisse C, Tröger J, Khabirpour F, Pöckler C. Normal values of thyroid gland volume. Ultrasound measurements in schoolchildren 7 to 20 years of age [in German]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1988; 113 (48) 1872-1875
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Klingmüller V, Otten A, Bödeker RH. Ultrasonographically determined thyroid gland volume in children [in German]. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 1991; 139 (12) 826-831
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Ueda D. Normal volume of the thyroid gland in children. J Clin Ultrasound 1990; 18 (6) 455-462
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Kung AW, Lao TT, Chau MT, Tam SC, Low LC. Goitrogenesis during pregnancy and neonatal hypothyroxinaemia in a borderline iodine sufficient area. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2000; 53 (6) 725-731
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Chanoine JP, Toppet V, Bourdoux P, Spehl M, Delange F. Smoking during pregnancy: a significant cause of neonatal thyroid enlargement. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1991; 98 (1) 65-68
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Thamm M, Ellert U, Thierfelder W, Liesenkötter KP, Völzke H. Iodine intake in Germany. Results of iodine monitoring in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) [in German]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2007; 50 (5-6) 744-749
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Rendl J, Juhran N, Reiners C. Thyroid volumes and urinary iodine in German school children. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2001; 109 (1) 8-12
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Wiedemann G, Jonetz-Mentzel L. Reference ranges for thyrotropin in the serum of fullterm neonates—compared with the ranges for fullterm neonates with various postpartal adaptation disorders, and premature neonates. Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1993; 31 (1) 35-39
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Marinovic D, Garel C, Czernichow P, Léger J. Ultrasonographic assessment of the ectopic thyroid tissue in children with congenital hypothyroidism. Pediatr Radiol 2004; 34 (2) 109-113
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar