Thyroid function and 3,3'-diiodothyronine sulfate cross-reactive substance (compound W) in maternal hyperthyroidism with antithyroid treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the serial measurement of maternal levels of compound W, a 3,3'-diiodothyronine sulfate cross-reactive substance, can serve as a potential indicator of fetal thyroid function in pregnant women receiving antithyroid medication.


METHODS
Compound W was measured repeatedly in serum of pregnant women with hyperthyroidism treated with antithyroid medication. Free thyroxine levels of mothers and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels of 1-day-old neonates were analyzed by local clinical or state laboratories.


RESULTS
Use of minimal antithyroid medication impaired the progressive increase of compound W seen in euthyroid mothers during pregnancy. At term, depressed compound W levels in maternal serum were found in 7 of 22 pregnancies; in 1 case, maternal compound W was suppressed and newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone was elevated. Seven mothers with treated hyperthyroidism failed to show an increase in serum levels of compound W after midterm.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal progression of maternal serum compound W may be an index of normal fetal thyroid development in mothers with hyperthyroidism treated with necessary antithyroid medication.
Vanmiddlesworth
Lester
L
Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Vanmiddlesworth
N Rue
NR
Egerman
Robert S
RS
Bush
Andrew J
AJ
Ramsey
Risa D
RD
Delmar
Lucinda P
LP
Ho
Eugene C
EC
Wu
Sing-Yung
SY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004104:Diiodothyronines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000196:embryology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D004104:Diiodothyronines; C404304:compound W; D013974:Thyroxine