The effects of topical iodine containing antiseptics on thyroidal status of preterm versus term babies.

Objective: To determine the effect of iodine containing antiseptics on thyroid function for the first 3 weeks in non-very-low-birth weight preterm and term babies, and to evaluate their thyroid function and behavioral status 7 years later.

Methods: Cohort I (between the years 1997-1998) was studied in 57 preterm (30-35 weeks) and 29 term newborns, 7 years later cohort II (in the year 2005) was created from same 28 preterm and 18 term infants at Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. Serum thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, total and free thyroxine were measured on the first, seventh, and twenty-first days (cohort I), and at the age of 7 (cohort II).