[Transient hypothyroidism after amniofetography in preterm and newborn infants (author's transl)]

Abstract

Excessive iodine application before delivery produces a transient hypothyroidism in preterm and newborn babies. We report about 6 preterm and newborn babies, who developed a transient hypothyroidism after amniofetography with a combined water and fat soluble radiopaque dye. Two preterm babies died with severe cardio-respiratory insufficiency and in five babies' pulmonary function was inadequate at birth. Since we presume a relation between pulmonary function disorder and hypothyroidism in preterm babies especially, and with regard to the hazards for normal brain development, amniofetography should be avoided in pregnancy. Treatment with l-thyroxine was started on the 1 to 12th day of life and discontinued after a period of three to six weeks.