Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of iodine excess in pregnant mothers on thyroid function, growth and neurodevelopment in the neonates when assessed at 12 weeks of age. Methodology: This prospective study enrolled term neonates with birth weight >2500 gm of mothers having urine iodine concentration (UIC) ≥500 µg/L documented in the third trimester of the peripartum period. Neonatal TSH was collected by heel prick on dried blood spots within 24-72 hours of age and measured by time-resolved fluroimmunoassay. Neonates with TSH ≥11 mIU/L at birth were followed up at 2 and 12 weeks to monitor thyroid dysfunction, growth and development. Results: A total of 2354 (n = 1575 in the delivery room) maternal urine samples were collected of which 598 (25.4%) had elevated UIC. Forty-nine (12.2%) neonates had TSH ≥11mIU/L on newborn screening of whom 18 and 3 neonates had residual elevated TSH at 2 and 12 weeks of life, respectively. Maternal iodine levels correlated weakly with TSH at 2 weeks (rho = 0.299; p = 0.037). No child required treatment for congenital hypothyroidism. Eight babies additionally had TSH >5 mIU/L at 12 weeks of life. The growth and development of babies with or without TSH elevation was comparable at three months (p > 0.05). Conclusion Maternal iodine excess in pregnancy and peripartum period causes transient hyperthyrotropinemia in neonates that did not affect the growth and development at 3 months of age.
Thyroid ; Thyroid Gland ; Hypothyroidism ; Thyroid Function Tests

STUDY DESIGN: Calf spine model study. PURPOSE: To describe a technique of creating thoracolumbar burst fractures in calf spine model by low weight drop weight. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Burst fractures are one of the commonest types of thoracolumbar fractures and their treatment is controversial. Biomechanical studies aid in the decision of treatment of these fractures. A simple method of creation of burst fractures would help these biomechanical studies. METHODS: Ten specimens of thoracolumbar spines harvested from 6-8 week old calves were weakened at the target vertebra by standardized osteotomy cuts. Burst fractures were created by dropping a 5-kg of weight from a height of 1.2 m using an in-house device. An accelerometer attached to the weight measured the acceleration at the point of impact. RESULTS: Average weight and bone mineral density of the specimens was 390 g and 0.67 g/cm2, respectively. Computed tomography scan analysis of the fractures revealed McCormack grade 2 and grade 3 fractures in 5 and 3 specimens, respectively, Dennis type 2B in 4, type 2A burst fractures in 5 specimens and fracture dislocation in 1 specimen, AO type A3.1.1 in 4 specimens, type A3.2.2 in 4 and type A3.3.3 in 2 specimens. Vertical laminar split fracture was seen in 6 specimens. Average acceleration and energy at impact was 9.04 m/sec and 54.24 Nm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a technique to create thoracolumbar burst fractures in calf spine by a drop weight method using a device that is simple to operate and easy to construct. The method is consistent and produces fractures similar to those occurring naturally, and can be considered as an alternative method for creating burst fractures in biomechanical studies.
Acceleration ; Bone Density ; Dislocations ; Osteotomy ; Spine*