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Thyroid disorders of neonates born to mothers with Graves' disease

Patricia Papendieck1, Ana Chiesa, Laura Prieto

  • 1División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños R Gutiérrez, Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. patopapen@yahoo.com.ar

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|August 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Infants born to mothers with hyperthyroidism face risks of thyroid issues. All newborns require pediatric endocrinology assessment to detect and manage potential thyroid disorders, ensuring healthy development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Maternal hyperthyroidism poses risks for neonatal thyroid function.
  • Autoimmune thyroid disease in mothers can affect offspring thyroid health.
  • Neonatal thyroid abnormalities require timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of 28 infants born to hyperthyroid mothers.
  • To identify and categorize thyroid disorders in newborns of mothers with hyperthyroidism.
  • To emphasize the necessity of pediatric endocrinological assessment for these infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective clinical data review of 28 infants.
  • Classification into three groups: neonatal hyperthyroidism, primary hypothyroidism, and hypothalamic-pituitary hypothyroidism.
  • Clinical observation, treatment initiation, and follow-up assessments.

Main Results:

  • Group A (neonatal hyperthyroidism): 9 infants, 8 required treatment, all fully remitted.
  • Group B (primary hypothyroidism): 14 infants, 11 transient, 3 required treatment.
  • Group C (hypothalamic-pituitary hypothyroidism): 5 infants, treated with thyroid hormone, recovered before 8 months.

Conclusions:

  • Infants of mothers with hyperthyroidism are at risk for various thyroid disorders.
  • Prompt pediatric endocrinological evaluation is crucial for all newborns of mothers with autoimmune thyroid disease.
  • Early detection and management lead to complete recovery in most cases.

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