PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G Weber
AU  - M C Vigone
AU  - A Rapa
AU  - G Bona
AU  - G Chiumello
TI  - Neonatal transient hypothyroidism: aetiological study
AID  - 10.1136/fn.79.1.F70
DP  - 1998 Jul 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
PG  - F70--F72
VI  - 79
IP  - 1
4099  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/79/1/F70.short
4100  - http://fn.bmj.com/content/79/1/F70.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed1998 Jul 01; 79
AB  - AIMS To define the aetiology of neonatal transient hypothyroidism (NTH) and recommend preventive measures. METHODS Maternal and perinatal clinical data on the use of antiseptics, drugs, and contrast agents containing iodine were collected from 40 subjects. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroxine (T4), thyroglobulin (TG), TSH receptor antibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and urinary iodine were measured in random neonatal samples. In the mothers with known or suspected thyroid disorders, TSH, FT4, TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were also measured. RESULTS The NTH aetiology was identified in 85% of cases. More than 50% of the babies with transient hypothyroidism had been exposed to iodine; maternal transfer of antibodies had occurred in a third of them. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that the practice of using iodine containing disinfectants should be withdrawn, and chlorhexidine substituted instead; that pregnant women should be advised of the adverse effects of using iodine products; and that thyroid function should be monitored whenever iodine is used.