Congenital hypothyroidism following maternal I-131 therapy in unsuspected pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

The authors report a term infant with congenital hypothyroidism following maternal radioiodine (I-131) treatment for papillary thyroid cancer in unsuspected pregnancy. The woman received 150 millicuries (mCi) of I-131 during the second trimester of pregnancy. Antenatal care was done in the other hospital without the awareness of previous I-131 treatment during pregnancy. The child presented with congenital hypothyroidism and recurring attacks of postprandial bilious vomiting due to midgut malrotation and Ladd bands. This case reminds physicians of the importance of obtaining an accurate menstrual history and providing information on conception in fertile woman before receiving I-131 treatment.