Successful in Utero Treatment of Fetal Goiter and Hypothyroidism

Abstract

A LARGE goiter in a fetus is a rare yet potentially dangerous condition. A large goiter may cause hyperextension of the neck of the fetus, resulting in malpresentation and complicating labor and delivery.¹ In the neonate, the goiter can obstruct the trachea and thus cause asphyxia and death.^{2 , 3} In this case report, we describe the diagnosis of a large goiter in a fetus, the use of percutaneous umbilical-blood sampling to establish the diagnosis of fetal hypothyroidism, and the successful treatment of the goiter and hypothyroidism by the injection of thyroxine into the amniotic fluid.