Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 16, Issue 6 395-399, Copyright © 1997 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonographic measurements of the neonatal thyroid gland
A. Vade, M. E. Gottschalk, E. M. Yetter and P. Subbaiah
Department of Radiology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
The purpose of this study was to establish the normal dimensions of the
thyroid gland in euthyroid neonates. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the
thyroid gland was performed in the first week of life in 68 term neonates
whose gestational ages at birth were 37 to 41 weeks and whose birth weights
ranged from 2570 to 4790 g. Measurements of the thyroid lobes were done in
transverse, anteroposterior, and longitudinal planes. All neonates had
age-appropriate thyroid stimulating hormone levels at birth. Mean +/- 2
standard deviations for thyroid volume were 472 mm3 and 1430 mm3. The mean
measurements for the sum of both lobes for transverse, anteroposterior, and
longitudinal dimensions were 13.9 mm, 15.1 mm, and 34.6 mm, respectively.
No significant correlation of these measurements was found for gestational
age, birth weight, or thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. The correlation
coefficient between these measurements and total volume was 0.64 or less.
Term euthyroid neonates were found to have a thyroid gland volume ranging
between 472 mm3 and 1430 mm3. In term neonates sonographic measurements of
thyroid lobes should be obtained in all three planes for reliable
assessment of thyroid volume.
