Sonographic evaluation of the thyroid size in neonates

ABSTRACT Purpose To validate the use of the ratio between the total transverse diameters of the thyroid lobes (Th) and the width of the trachea (Tr)—the Th:Tr or Yasumoto ratio—as a sonographic method for estimating thyroid size, and to determine reference values for this ratio and for thyroid volume in neonates. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, we evaluated thyroid size according to the Yasumoto ratio and the thyroid volume calculated with the ellipsoid formula in 125 healthy, euthyroid, iodine‐sufficient, full‐term neonates. Results The mean thyroid gland volume was 1.00 ml (95% confidence interval, 0.95–1.03 ml), and the mean Yasumoto ratio was 2.29 (95% confidence interval, 2.21–2.31). The lower‐ and upper‐limit results falling within 2 SDs of the mean were 0.45 ml and 1.53 ml for the volume and 1.71 and 2.87 for the ratio. Conclusions In full‐term, euthyroid, iodine‐sufficient neonates, the normal reference interval for thyroid volume measured on sonography was 0.45–1.53 ml and that for the Yasumoto ratio was 1.71–2.87. A ratio of 1.7 may be applied as the cutoff value for sonographic diagnosis of thyroid dysgenesis in full‐term neonates with congenital hypothyroidism. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:224–229, 2015