THYROID-GLAND VOLUME AS MEASURED BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PRETERM INFANTS

The volume of the thyroid gland was determined by ultrasonography in 3 0 preterm infants (27-36 weeks' gestation) born in Madrid. Thyroid gla nd volume significantly increased (p < 0.01) with postnatal and postme nstrual age and was very well correlated with body weight, height and surface area (p < 0.01). Serum thyroid hormones 3,5,3'-triiodothyronin e (T-3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were linearly correlated with postnat al and postmenstrual age, thus T-3 and FT4 levels were also correlated with thyroid gland volume (p < 0.05). We report measurements of the t hyroid gland volume obtained by ultrasonography in this group of prete rm infants. Quantitative determination of thyroid gland volume is more accurate for the diagnosis of goitre than clinical criteria. It is al so interesting to determine the thyroid gland volume in the neonatal p eriod when the thyroid is particularly hypersensitive to the effects o f iodine deficiency and excess.