Different fetal-neonatal outcomes in siblings born to a mother with Graves-Basedow disease after total thyroidectomy: A case series

Abstract

Introduction. We describe three different fetal or neonatal outcomes in the offspring of a mother who had persistent circulating thyrotropin receptor antibodies despite having undergone a total thyroidectomy several years before. Case presentation. The three different outcomes were an intrauterine death, a mild and transient fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism and a severe fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism that required specific therapy. Conclusions. The three cases are interesting because of the different outcomes, the absence of a direct correlation between thyrotropin receptor antibody levels and clinical signs, and the persistence of thyrotropin receptor antibodies several years after a total thyroidectomy. © 2010 Zuppa et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.