Abstract
Phototherapy (Ph) used as a therapeutic tool in the newborn, may constitute a model of functional pinealectomy. With this assumption we have been searching for changes in pituitary function in newborns undergoing Ph. We have found that Ph in the newborn alters LH (Science 199:1229, 1978) and FSH levels (ESPE 1978) while prolactin is not significantly affected. In this report we present our findings on serum TSH and T4 values in newborns receiving Ph and in controls (C).
T4 is significantly lower in Ph newborns than in C during Ph and up to the 12th day post-phototherapy (p<0.02). TSH values do not increase in response to the decrease in T4 concentration, possibly indicating a central effect of Ph. However other mechanisms may also be responsible for these hormonal alterations.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dacou-Voutetakis, C., Papadopoulos, G. & Anagnostakis, D. Effect of prolonged illumination (phototherapy) on the concentration of TSH and T4 in human neonates. Pediatr Res 13, 1185 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00029
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00029