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Relapse of maternal thyrotoxicosis presenting as a second‐trimester fetal goiter
Author(s) -
Vali A.,
Wiles P.,
Thomas N. B.,
Ludlam A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1993.03060429.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , pregnancy , goiter , gestation , graves' disease , thyroidectomy , obstetrics , thyroid , second trimester , ultrasound , pediatrics , radiology , genetics , biology
A large fetal goiter was detected at 22 weeks of gestation during an antenatal ultrasound scan of a woman with a previous history of Graves' disease treated by partial thyroidectomy. This unsuspected finding initiated maternal investigations and treatment. In untreated cases poor fetal outcome is common and unfortunately fetal thyrotoxicosis/thyroid enlargement frequently remains unrecognized in the first pregnancy. We report the case and its management and discuss the literature emphasizing the importance of screening for antibodies in the ‘at‐risk’ women and the increasing importance of ultrasound in the evaluation and follow‐up of these patients. Reports of thyrotoxic fetal goiters are extremely rare and, to our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of this in the second trimester. Copyright © 1993 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology