Thyroid hormones during the perinatal period are necessary to respiratory network development of newborn rats

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for foetal brain development. Because the gestating mother is the main source of THs to the foetus, maternal hypothyroidism and/or premature birth compromise neurological outcomes in the offspring. Respiratory instability and recurrent apneas due to immaturity of the respiratory control network are major causes of morbidity in infants. Inadequate TH supply may be sufficient to delay perinatal maturation of...