Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Wolff-Chaikoff effect in a newborn: is it an overlooked problem?

Aliefendioğlu D, Sanli C, Cakmak M, Ağar A, Albayrak M, Evliyaoğlu O

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale 71100, Turkey. didem.aliefendioglu@gmail.com

Hypothyroidism is a serious endocrine disorder emerging from deficient production of thyroid hormone (thyroid gland agenesis or dysgenesis, or inborn metabolic defects of thyroid hormone production) or a defect in thyroid hormonal receptor activity. Prevention of iodine organification by means of using iodine-containing drugs or solutions is a protective mechanism for the body and is known as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. This effect blocks thyroid hormone generation and is often transient, with thyroid hormone synthesis recovering in a few days or weeks. We present a neonate with transient thyroid dysfunction resulting from topical exposure to iodine-containing antiseptic solution. Our aim was to increase awareness that the use of antiseptic iodine solutions in neonates may result in transient hypothyroidism through the Wolff-Chaikoff effect and should be considered after the use of iodine-containing solutions or drugs.

Published 12 December 2006 in J Pediatr Surg, 41(12): e1-3.
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