Transient hypothyroidism in a breastfed infant after maternal use of iodoform gauze

Anita L'Italien1, Philip J Starceski, Naznin M Dixit

  • 1Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

We describe transient hypothyroidism induced in a 2 week-old breastfed infant by maternal use of iodoform gauze for a perirectal abscess. The initial newborn thyroid screen was normal. Low levels of thyroid hormone were discovered during a routine second newborn screen. Thyroid function has since normalized with short-term therapy with thyroxine and after the mother discontinued use of the packing iodoform gauze. This case illustrates the need to avoid iodine-containing products in breastfeeding mothers.

Related Concept Videos

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology01:24

Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) that activate TSH receptors, leading to excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulting in hyperthyroidism.Among all causes of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is the most common and can happen at any age, though it is more frequent in women. It produces a hypermetabolic state with features such as weight loss, tachycardia, tremor, and heat...
Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...