[Thyroid function in protein-caloric malnutrition in infants (author's transl)].

Iodine kinetics and thyroid function were investigated in 68 cases of protein-caloric malnutrition (senegales children). This nutritional state induces an acute and severe alteration of thyroid function, as indicated by the reduced iodine uptake and clearance, a 50% decrease of hormonal secretion rate, and the low levels of total and free T4. T3 concentration is also very low: this may be partly due to a defective conversion of T4 to T3. Despite this state of primary hypothyroidism, no hypersecretion of TSH is observed.