[Newborn of mothers with Graves' disease]

The most frequent cause of congenital hyperthyroidism is maternal Graves' disease (GD), in which thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies (TRAb) cross the placenta and stimulate the fetal and/or neonatal TSH receptor to produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid dys function in these patients is confirmed by increased thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels accompanied by suppressed TSH levels.

To characterize the clinical and biochemical evo lution of newborns of mothers with GD and to suggest recommendations regarding treatment and follow-up.

A literature review using the MEDLINE database was made, iden tifying scientific articles that included more than 30 neonates of mothers with GD and described their evolution. In addition, a review of the topic with an emphasis on the evaluation and management of these patients was included.

Nine cohort studies were included, with a total of 790 pregnant women. There was high heterogeneity among the studies. A variable percentage of newborns deve loped neonatal thyrotoxicosis, which was more frequent in those patients whose mothers had high levels of TRAb. The treatment of newborns was initiated according to different criteria. The literature recommends treating cases of clinical hyperthyroidism and considers it in cases of biochemical hy perthyroidism.

Children of mothers with GD and high TRAb should be evaluated due to the likelihood of developing neonatal thyrotoxicosis. It is suggested to monitor thyroid function periodically during the first month of life and treat patients with clinical and biochemical hyper thyroidism.