Severe amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism in an infant.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of postnatal, postoperative amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism in an infant with a congenital heart defect.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit at a freestanding tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
At 7 wks of age, a female infant with a congenital heart defect was confirmed to have profound hypothyroidism after amiodarone administration for a postoperative cardiac arrhythmia.


METHODS
Levothyroxine treatment.


RESULTS
Thyroid function tests were regularly performed to guide levothyroxine dosing. Thyroid hormone replacement was discontinued after the infant had been off amiodarone for 6 mos.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the potential adverse developmental consequences associated with hypothyroidism during infancy and early childhood, thyroid function tests should be carefully monitored in any infant treated with amiodarone.
Trudel
Karen
K
Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia and British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Sanatani
Shubhayan
S
Panagiotopoulos
Constadina
C
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007223:Infant; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000638:Amiodarone; D013974:Thyroxine