[Brief antiseptic application of iodine in neonatal intensive care units: effects on thyroid function]. / Application brève d'antiseptique iodé en soins intensifs néonatals: conséquences sur la fonction thyroïdienne.

BACKGROUND: Transient thyroid dysfunction with its adverse effects of diminished levels of thyroid hormone on mental development has been reported in neonates whose skin has been cleaned with iodine-containing substances. We report the results of thyroid screening in iodine-exposed neonates and controls. POPULATION AND METHODS: Thirty seven neonates admitted to an intensive care unit from 1990 to 1992 and whose medical condition required umbilical catheterization were included in the study. There were 21 neonates (six term and 15 preterm) for whom the area around the umbilicus was cleansed with iodine antiseptic and 16 controls (four term and 12 preterm) for whom the antiseptic used did not contain iodine. Levels of serum free T3 and T4, and TSH were determined by 7 days after catheterization as did urinary iodine and creatinine concentrations. RESULTS: Iodine-exposed neonates had significant high levels of TSH (P < 0.01) and low free T3 (P < 0.05); levels of free T4 were lower than in controls but not significantly. Urinary iodine excretion was significantly increased. The increase in TSH disappeared between 15 and 30 days after iodine application. CONCLUSION: Application of iodine antiseptics may cause transient thyroid dysfunction in neonates leading to propose the use of non iodinated substances with similar antibacterial efficacy.

Radiographic, haematological, and biochemical findings in a fetus with Caffey disease.

An early case of prenatal Caffey disease is reported. Ultrasound examination performed at 20 weeks showed major angulations of long bones, but both ultrasound scan and X-rays failed to make the differential diagnosis between Caffey disease and lethal osteogenesis imperfecta. A cordocentesis allowed us to find important biological abnormalities. The pregnancy was terminated after the rapid development of hydrops fetalis. The definitive diagnosis of Caffey disease was obtained by special X-ray and pathological study.

[The difficulty of diagnosing Caffey's disease in utero. Apropos of a case simulating lethal osteogenesis imperfecta]. / La difficulté du diagnostic de la maladie de Caffey in utero. A propos d'un cas simulant l'ostéogenèse imparfaite létale.

A very early case of infantile cortical hyperplasia (Caffey disease) is reported. The ultrasound examination performed at 22 weeks gestational age evidenced angulations of the long bones, leading to the diagnosis of lethal osteogenesis imperfecta. Hydrops fetalis developed and the pregnancy was terminated. The roentgenographic study of the fetus and results of pathological studies led to the correct diagnosis of Caffey disease. The difficulty of the diagnosis of these early forms of infantile cortical hyperostosis should be pointed out.

Correlation between the effects of rT3 and IMP dehydrogenase inhibitors on normal and trisomic 21 lymphocyte cultures.

3,3'5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) levels have been documented to be low in patients with Down syndrome but the metabolic implications of this finding remain unknown. A highly significant correlation was found between the in vitro variations of the mitotic index in lymphocyte cultures when rT3 or known inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase: mycophenolic acid, 6-mercaptopurine or 2-3-diphosphoglycerate were added. No significant difference was found between the response of trisomy 21 or normal lymphocytes. The finding suggests that rT3 may be a physiological modulator of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. The implications on cellular differentiation are discussed.