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Review
. 2020 Dec 15;20(1):183.
doi: 10.1186/s12902-020-00663-9.

Unusual onset of thyroid associated orbitopathy during pregnancy: case report and review of literature

Janos K Aranyosi  1 , Tamas Deli  2 , Annamaria Erdei  3 , Geza Toth  4 , Attila Jakab  2 , Mariann Fodor  1 , Endre V Nagy  3 , Bernadett Ujhelyi  5
Affiliations
Review

Unusual onset of thyroid associated orbitopathy during pregnancy: case report and review of literature

Janos K Aranyosi et al. BMC Endocr Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO) is the most common extrathyroidal complication of Graves' disease. The disease course ranges from mild, where symptomatic therapy is sufficient, to severe, where high dose steroid administration or orbital decompression surgery is required. Women of their reproductive age are more likely to be affected. Although pregnancy is a state of enhanced immune tolerance, TAO may develop or worsen in 0.2-0.4% of pregnant women.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 19-year-old woman who has developed hyperthyroidism and progressive TAO during the second trimester of her third pregnancy, which has improved postpartum. The possible mechanisms and the importance of follow up in pregnancy is discussed.

Conclusions: Expectant mothers with Graves' disease require follow up of eye signs throughout pregnancy, preferably in the setting of a thyroid-eye clinic.

Keywords: Case report; Graves’ disease; Orbitopathy; Pregnancy; Smoking; TAO.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The patient’s eyes on day 3 postpartum. Exophthalmos on the right side was still present. Visual acuity returned to 20/20
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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