Prenatal diagnosis and intervention of fetal goiter complicated by hypothyroidism: an analysis of three cases / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the prenatal diagnosis, clinical intervention and pregnancy outcome of fetal goiter complicated by hypothyroidism.Methods:Three fetuses diagnosed with goiter and hypothyroidism in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively included. Thyroid function tests were performed using umbilical cord blood samples after the fetuses were diagnosed with goiter by prenatal ultrasound. Oral L-thyroxine was given to pregnant women diagnosed with fetal goiter complicated by hypothyroidism, and the changes in fetal thyroid ultrasound imaging and serological indexes were monitored. Clinical manifestations, pregnancy outcomes and postnatal follow-up were summarized using descriptive statistical analysis.Results:Case 1, 2 and 3 were diagnosed as having fetal goiter with rich blood flow signals in the thyroid by ultrasound at 24, 21 and 23 +5 weeks of gestation, respectively. Thyroid function tests showed abnormal increase of thyrotropin in umbilical cord blood and the fetuses were diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism. Oral administration of L-thyroxine to pregnant women had no significant impact on the sizes of the enlarged thyroid glands, but the blood flow richness was significantly reduced. Moreover, the level of thyrotropin in umbilical cord blood decreased significantly after intervention. Case 2 was terminated due to social factors in another hospital at 34 + weeks of gestation. Cases 1 and 3 were full-term deliveries and followed up for 12 or 18 months. The thyroid function of both neonates were normal at birth and during follow-up. Conclusions:Ultrasound combined with thyroid function tests using umbilical cord blood are helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal goiter complicated by hypothyroidism. Oral administration of L-thyroxine to pregnant women may have practical clinical significance in improving fetal thyroid function.