Dopamine infusion: a possible cause of undiagnosed congenital hypothyroidism in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the possibility that dopamine infusion can prevent early diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Medical neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary academic medical center.


METHODS
We report four preterm newborns affected by transient primary congenital hypothyroidism who showed low serum thyroxine and normal thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations on primary screening performed during treatment with dopamine.


METHODS
Thyroid reevaluation screening after dopamine discontinuation.


RESULTS
Thyroid reevaluation showed elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We emphasize that dopamine capacity to suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone could prevent early diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism. We suggest all newborns to be tested simultaneously for thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine values at primary screening. A reevaluation of thyroid hormones after dopamine discontinuation is advisable in patients treated with dopamine.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Luca
L
Filippi
Marco
M
Pezzati
Alessandra
A
Cecchi
Chiara
C
Poggi
D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000187:drug effects
D013972:Thyrotropin; D004298:Dopamine