Neonatal hyperthyroidism: neonatal clinical course of two brothers born to a mother with Graves-Basedow disease, before and after total thyroidectomy.
BACKGROUND
About 1-2% of infants born to mothers with Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis develop neonatal hyperthyroidism because of transplacental passage of IgG stimulating TSH receptors (TRAb).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of maternal total thyroidectomy on neonatal clinical course.


METHODS
We describe two brothers born to a mother with Graves' disease, before and after total thyroidectomy.


RESULTS
The first child showed persistent tachycardia, the presence of TRAb and a laboratory pattern of hyperthyroidism. Lugol's solution was started and then propylthiouracil was added. Digitalis, furosemide and diazepam were necessary for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and irritability. On the 70th day of life, hormone serum levels normalized and treatment was interrupted. TRAb normalized by the third month of life. The second infant was born 2 years after the mother underwent total thyroidectomy. In spite of a laboratory pattern of hyperthyroidism and positivity to TRAb, he showed only considerable weight loss, and no therapy was required.


CONCLUSIONS
TRAb may persist after total thyroidectomy: clinical and instrumental follow-up of the newborn is recommended.
Zuppa
A A
AA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. zuppaaa@rm.unicatt.it
Sindico
P
P
Savarese
I
I
D'Andrea
V
V
Fracchiolla
A
A
Cota
F
F
Romagnoli
C
C
D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000151:congenital*; D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007454:Iodides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D035781:Siblings; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating; D007454:Iodides; C010389:Lugol's solution