title: Wolff-Chaikoff effect in a newborn: is it an overlooked problem?
abstract: Hypothyroidism is a serious endocrine disorder emerging from deficient production of thyroid hormone (thyroid gland agenesis or dysgenesis, or inborn metabolic defects of thyroid hormone production) or a defect in thyroid hormonal receptor activity. Prevention of iodine organification by means of using iodine-containing drugs or solutions is a protective mechanism for the body and is known as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. This effect blocks thyroid hormone generation and is often transient, with thyroid hormone synthesis recovering in a few days or weeks. We present a neonate with transient thyroid dysfunction resulting from topical exposure to iodine-containing antiseptic solution. Our aim was to increase awareness that the use of antiseptic iodine solutions in neonates may result in transient hypothyroidism through the Wolff-Chaikoff effect and should be considered after the use of iodine-containing solutions or drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale 71100, Turkey. didem.aliefendioglu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aliefendioğlu
authors.forename: Cihat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanli
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Ayça
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ağar
authors.forename: Meryem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.forename: Olcay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Evliyaoğlu
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007565:Jaundice / Q000209:etiology; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D017613:Iodine Compounds