Metabolomic Characterization of Neonates Born to Hyperthyroid Mothers

The aim of this study was to compare blood metabolic profiles between neonates born to propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated hyperthyroid mothers and those born to healthy mothers and to evaluate potential impacts on fetal health despite maternal treatment. Blood metabolites from 31 neonates exposed to PTU and 36 healthy controls were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Huadu. Metabolite differences were assessed, and enriched pathway analysis was performed to identify significantly altered metabolic pathways. Neonates exposed to PTU exhibited distinct metabolic profiles compared with controls, characterized by significantly reduced levels of histidine and aspartic acid. These differential metabolites were primarily enriched in ammonia recycling as well as glycine and serine metabolism pathways-closely associated with protein and nucleotide biosynthesis. These findings indicate that prenatal exposure to PTU in hyperthyroid mothers leads to characteristic alterations in neonatal blood metabolic profiles, suggesting the need for close monitoring of growth and developmental outcomes in this population.