Early Discontinuation of Levothyroxine Treatment Is Safe and Feasible in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants with Delayed Hyperthyrotropinemia

Abstract

Background: While recent pieces of evidence suggest that discontinuation of levothyroxine replacement therapy (LRT) earlier than the current guidelines of 3 years is possible, the optimal duration of LRT for delayed hyperthyrotropinemia in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) remains unknown. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of early discontinuation of LRT for delayed hyperthyrotropinemia in ELBWIs. Methods: The medical records of 92 ELBWIs who had shown delayed hyperthyrotropinemia, defined as a delayed rise in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to >20 µIU/mL after initial normal TSH level, were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether the duration of LRT affects the short-term outcomes at discharge from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the long-term outcomes at the corrected age (CA) of 2 years. The infants were grouped into: no LRT required group (n = 21), short-term LRT given until the time of NICU discharge – 90 ± 64 (13–211) days group (n = 36), and long-term LRT given – 749 ± 333 (339–1,967) days group (n = 35). Results: While mortality in the no LRT required group was significantly higher than that in the long-term LRT group, no significant differences were observed in short-term outcomes at discharge from NICU and long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at CA of 2 years between the short- and long-term LRT groups. Conclusions: Termination of LRT at around the time of discharge from NICU in well, clinically stable ELBWIs who have delayed hyperthyrotropinemia appears to be safe and feasible and avoids the risk of overtreatment.