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Association Between Newborn Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone Concentration and Neurodevelopment and Growth: a Systematic Review

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Abstract

Iodine nutrition during pregnancy can affect newborn thyroid-stimulating-hormone concentration (TSH). Associations of newborn TSH with the neurodevelopment and growth of children are inconsistent. The aim of the study was to systematically review the literature on the associations between newborn TSH and childhood neurodevelopment and growth. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO, and Iodine Global Network were searched for eligible studies. Seventeen studies were included. Neurodevelopment was assessed using different tools in children aged 1–12 years of age. The associations between newborn TSH and cognitive development were negative in studies from iodine deficient populations, while a null association was found in studies from iodine sufficient populations. A null association between TSH and psychomotor development was observed regardless of iodine status of the study populations. There was no evidence of an association between newborn TSH and child anthropometry, but evidence of negative association was found between newborn TSH and birthweight. Although the associations between newborn TSH and neurodevelopment may differ based on the iodine status of populations, most of the included studies did not adjust for the key confounders and had a small sample size. Quality data-linkage studies that utilize newborn TSH data from newborn screening with adequate adjustment for potential confounders are warranted to better understand the relationship between newborn TSH and neurodevelopment and growth in children. CRD42020152878

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Acknowledgements

We thank Michael Draper and Angela Mills (Librarians at University of Adelaide) for their assistance in building search strategies of databases.

Funding

MMW was supported by The University of Adelaide, Australian Government Research Training Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, 5064, SA, Australia

    Molla Mesele Wassie & Shao Jia Zhou

  2. Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

    Molla Mesele Wassie

  3. School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

    Lisa Gaye Smithers

  4. Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

    Lisa Gaye Smithers & Shao Jia Zhou

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Contributions

MMW and SJZ designed the study. MMW performed literature search, data extraction, analysis, and drafting the manuscript. SJZ oversaw the study conduct and critically reviewed the manuscript. LGS contributed to the design, interpretation of the results, and critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Shao Jia Zhou.

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Wassie, M.M., Smithers, L.G. & Zhou, S.J. Association Between Newborn Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone Concentration and Neurodevelopment and Growth: a Systematic Review. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 473–487 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02665-7

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