Neonatal thyrotoxicosis caused by maternal autoimmune hyperthyroidism

BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Mar 6:2015:bcr2014209283. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-209283.

Abstract

Neonatal immune hyperthyroidism is a rare but potentially fatal condition. It occurs in 1-5% of infants born to women with Graves' disease (GD). In most of the cases it is due to maternal antibodies transferred from the mother into the fetal compartment, stimulating the fetal thyroid by binding thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) receptor. We present a case of neonatal thyrotoxicosis due to maternal GD detected at 25 days of age and discuss the potential pitfalls in the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Iodides / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Methimazole / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use
  • Thyrotoxicosis / diagnosis*
  • Thyrotoxicosis / drug therapy
  • Thyrotoxicosis / etiology*

Substances

  • Antithyroid Agents
  • Iodides
  • Methimazole
  • Propranolol
  • Lugol's solution