T4 levels in methylxanthine-treated premature newborns.

The respiratory stimulants caffeine and theophylline are able to control apneic spells in premature newborns. However both substances have goitrogenic properties in rats on low-iodine diet. They lower T4 serum levels and inhibit TSH- and GH-release probably by enhancing hypothalamic somatostatin secretion. The retrospective study described here was carried out in an attempt to clarify whether treatment of premature children with methylxanthines has adverse effects on thyroid function. The results are as follows: 1) There is no significant correlation between caffeine- and theophylline-concentrations and circulating T4 levels in single blood specimen of unselected premature infants. 2) In none of the infants was a low T4-serum value accompanied by a rise in serum TSH during methylxanthine treatment. Thus methylxanthines are not associated with the induction of primary hypothyroidism but the possibility of tertiary hypothyroidism cannot be excluded. In order to avoid adverse effects on thyroid function the lowest therapeutically active dose should be chosen.