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Developmental changes of the fetal and neonatal thyroid gland and functional consequences on the cardiovascular system

Journal of Perinatology volume 42, pages 1576–1586 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Thyroid hormones play an important role in the development and function of the cardiac myocyte. Dysregulation of the thyroid hormone milieu affects the fetal cardiac cells via complex molecular mechanisms, either by altering gene expression or directly by affecting post-translational processes. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the effects of thyroid hormones on the developing cardiovascular system and its adaptation. Furthermore, we will highlight the gaps in knowledge and provide suggestions for future research.

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Fig. 1: Parallel presentation of key components of cardiac and thyroid adaptation during the fetal and early neonatal period.
Fig. 2: Structure and function of thyroid hormone receptors (THR).
Fig. 3: Biochemical processes in the cardiac myocyte, associated dynamics and muscle contraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Ioanna Kotsopoulou

  2. Division of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, USA

    Arpita K. Vyas

  3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Melinda J. Cory

  4. Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Christina S. Chan, Jawahar Jagarapu, Shamaila Gill, Manjula Mudduluru & Dimitrios Angelis

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  1. Ioanna Kotsopoulou
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DA and IK contributed to the concept of the paper, wrote the initial and revised drafts of this manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. AV critically reviewed the manuscript and approved as is. MC, CC, JJ, SG, and MM contributed to the conceptualization of the paper, reviewed, and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. IK is a third-year pediatric resident.

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Correspondence to Dimitrios Angelis.

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Kotsopoulou, I., Vyas, A.K., Cory, M.J. et al. Developmental changes of the fetal and neonatal thyroid gland and functional consequences on the cardiovascular system. J Perinatol 42, 1576–1586 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01559-3

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