Korean J Perinatol.  1998 Mar;9(1):35-42.

A Case of Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Fetal Goiter in Hyperthyroidism Mother

• Bae DH
• Kim YH
• Choi KY
• Jang KT
• Kim SY

Abstract

We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of fetal congenital goiter at 31weeks of gestation by ultrasonogram and fetal hypothyroidism confirmed at birth as thyroid function test by umbilical cord blood sampling. Maternal Graves' disease and the drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism in pregnant women can affect the fetus, causing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and goiter. Fetal hypothyroidism may be caused by transplacental passage of either maternal thyrotropic-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin(TBII) antibodies or maternal treatment with propylthiouracil(PTU). Untreated fetal hypothyroidism may result in mental retardation, perceptual-motor, visual-spatial, and language developmental problems. In this article fetal thyroid function was not assessed by cordocentesis, but fetal congenital goiter was detected ultrasound. Ultrasound should be used to detect fetal goiter from 20 weeks onward. Fetal goiter should resolve when maternal PTU treatment is decreased. We have diagnosed fetal hypothyroidism in utero by ultrasonography. Significance of in utero management of fetal hypothyroidism is discussed.

Keyword

Graves' disease; Fetal goiter; Congenital hypothyroidism

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Cordocentesis
Female
Fetal Blood
Fetus
Goiter*
Graves Disease
Humans
Hyperthyroidism*
Hypothyroidism
Intellectual Disability
Language Development
Mothers*
Parturition
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Prenatal Diagnosis*
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid Gland
Ultrasonography
Antibodies