Does Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting Improve Thyroid Hormone Levels in Hydrocephalic Newborns?

Abstract

Objective/Aim: The aim of this report was to investigate the effect of ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion for the treatment of hydrocephalus on thyroid hormones in the first 3 months of life. Methods: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (fT3), and free T4 (fT4) levels were compared at 7 days (preoperatively) and at 30 and 90 days (postoperatively) after birth between 25 ventriculoperitoneal shunt-inserted hydrocephalic newborns and 20 healthy newborns. Results: The TSH level at 7 days was higher in the hydrocephalic patient group (6.33 μIU) compared to the control group (3.76 μIU). This value was significantly decreased at 90 days in the ventriculoperitoneal shunt-inserted newborns (2.35 μIU) compared to the control group (3.33 μIU; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between time points for fT4 and fT3 values in the patient group or for TSH, fT4, and fT3 values in the control group. Conclusion: We propose that a ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted in the early period of life may have beneficial effects on thyroid hormones.