HK J Paediatr (new series) 2003;8:40-42 A Baby Girl with Neonatal Thyrotoxicosis and Subsequent Pituitary Hypothyroidism

Abstract A baby girl was delivered at 36 weeks of gestation. Antenatally her mother was diagnosed to have thyrotoxicosis in third trimester and was put on propyl-thiouracil for 2 weeks before delivery. Initially the baby had typical biochemical findings of thyrotoxicosis. In subsequent follow up she developed pituitary hypothyroidism. Treatment with L-thyroxine achieved normal serum free thyroxine level and the baby girl enjoyed normal growth and neuro-development during the 2 years of therapy. The case illustrated the need for early detection of neonatal thyrotoxicosis (especially with current or past maternal history of thyrotoxicosis) and the possibility of subsequent pituitary hypothyroidism. Key words Neonatal thyrotoxicosis; Thyroxine treatment; Transient hypothyroxinaemi