Neck Swelling in a Newborn with Congenital Goiter

Abstract

Congenital goiter presenting in the newborn period is very rare. We present a case of primary hypothyroidism presenting as congenital goiter in the newborn period with symptoms in the immediate postnatal life. Hormone replacement therapy was started leading to normal levels of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine. In face of maternal normal thyroid levels, dysharmonogenesis was considered to be the most probable cause of hypothyroidism.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital goiter is a rare cause of neonatal neck mass. Most cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) are not hereditary and results from thyroid dysgenesis, maternal ingestion of antithyroid drugs, goiterogens, transplacental passage of maternal antibodies and rare causes like activating mutations of the TSH receptor, activating mutations of the G-proteinα-subunit (McCune Albright syndrome), tumors. Even in the hereditary forms of goiter and thyroid dysfunction that often accompanies it may not be evident at birth.[1] The prevalence of the CH based on nationwide programs for neonatal screening is 1/4000 infants worldwide. Twice as many girls as boys are affected.[2] Dysharmonogenesis represents 10-15% of all the causes of CH and most neonates would exhibit a relatively large goiter.[3] Majority of case reports on neonatal goiter in literature were based on recording of fetal goiter by antenatal scans which is dependent on radiologist's expertise. Furthermore there is lack of ultrasonograph machines and qualified manpower to carry out routine antenatal scans in resource poor nations. Some of the highest incidences (1 in 1400 to 1 in 2000) have been reported from various locations in the Middle East.[4] The average incidence rate of CH in Qatar between 1998 and 2006 was 44.13/100,000.[5] As per the second conference of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) newborn screening initiative held in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt on April 12 to 14, 2008 CH was selected for initiating newborn screening programs because of its high prevalence, availability of the screening methods, and cost-effective intervention. On the basis of current status of newborn screening, countries were divided into three groups. Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, The Palestienian authority (Group 3) screen for atleast 1 condition primarily CH and most screen for two or more conditions. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia use tandem mass spectrometry for a large panel of metabolic conditions. Jordon, Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunesia (Group 2) have completed pilot studies for atleast 1 condition and anticipated expansion to national programs. Libya, Morocco, Syria, Yemen have not begun national newborn screening. Implementation of a pilot newborn screening program is the primary goal.[6]

CASE REPORT

A 6-day-old male baby born to a 21 year old primigravida having normal antenatal course and clinically euthyroid with no past history of thyroid disease and not on any antithyroid medications, with normal thyroid levels in the present pregnancy, delivered by Cesarean section due to delayed progression of labor with birth weight of 2.5 kgs, presented to our hospital with delayed passage of meconium even after 5 days of birth, decreased activity, distension of abdomen, difficulty in latching onto breasts. On admission baby had stable vitals and general examination revealed midline swelling in the neck, which is soft, mobile, noncystic, without inflammatory signs and no bruits was audible. On per abdomen examination, there was soft distension, without hepatosplenomegaly or ascites. Rest of the systemic examination was normal except for the presence of generalised hypotonia.

Investigations revealed Hb 15.9 gm%, PCV 49.9, TC 3730, Platelet count 3.4, SBR 15.9/0.79, RBS 150 mg/dl, CRP negative, XR abdomen normal, free T3 <0.04 pg/ml (normal 147.8±50.1 ng/dl), free T4 0.18 ng/dl (normal 2.7±0.6 ng/dl), TSH >40 IU/ml (normal 2.6±1.8 IU/ml), X-ray of knee showing absence of the distal femoral epiphysis [Figure 1], postnatal ultrasound of thyroid showed diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland. Hearing tests were normal. Further genetic tests were not done due to financial constrains and lack of genetic testing facility.

Figure 1.

Newborn with prominent neck swelling and X-ray of knee joint

A diagnosis of neonatal dysharmonogenitic goiter with hypothyroidism was made. Thyroxin started on 8^th day of life at 15 mcg/kg/day and by 15^th day decreased in the size of the goiter with regular passage of motions and good cry and activity was noticed. Baby was discharged on 16^th day and is under follow-up regularly.

DISCUSSION

Although the diagnosis of neonatal neck mass can be made on clinical grounds and with imaging, recognizing a mass may not be easy due to difficulty of examining the neck of neonates and insidious growth of some lesions. Neck masses in the newborns may be differentiated by their location and include the following: Cystic hygroma; lymphangioma that is the most common lymphatic malformation in children, typically presents as a painless, transilluminated, soft mass located superior to the clavicle; branchial cleft cysts, palpated along the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; hematomas, which may be the cause of mass in the lower portion of the neck; thyroglossal duct cyst or enlarged thyroid that may present with a midline neck mass.[3] The clinical findings presenting with goiter vary from asymptomatic to enlarged thyroid volume causing stridor, cyanosis and respiratory distress by airway obstruction that can be a serious emergency.[7]

Thyroid dysgenesis (aplasia, hypoplasia or an ectopic gland) is the most common cause of CH, accounting for 85% of cases; 10% are caused by an inborn errors of thyroxin synthesis, and 5% are the result of transplacental thyrotropin receptor blocking antibodies (TRBAb). (nelson) Transient CH may occur when drugs prescribed for the mother such as propylthiouracil, methimazole or iodides cross the placenta and block the fetal thyroid gland.[8]

A variety of defects in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormone results in CH; these are detected in 1/30,000-1/50,000 live births in the neonatal screening programs. These defects are transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. Defects may be of iodide transport, organification and coupling, deiodination and thyroid hormone transport.[2]

The exact cause of thyroid dysgenesis is unknown in most cases. Thyroid dysgenesis occurs sporadically, but familial cases occasionally have been reported. Three transcription factors TTF-1, FOXE 1, and PAX-8 are important for thyroid morphogenesis and differentiation; mutations in these genes are associated with thyroid dysgenesis. Another transcription factor NKX2.1 has been reported to result in CH with persistent neurological problems including ataxia, despite early thyroid hormone treatment.[2]

The initial dose of thyroxin in a term infant is 50 μg ms daily for the first 1-2 weeks and should be started promptly at the initial visit when screening results are abnormal and serum sample have been sent for confirmatory tests. At the end of 2^nd to 4^th week, serum T4 and TSH values should be measured to determine that the amount of L-Thyroxin is adequate but not excessive. Therapy should be adjusted to maintain the serum T4 levels during infancy in the upper half of the normal range to optimize developmental outcome. Concomitant administration of soy formula, calcium, iron and high fiber foods may interfere with absorption of the L-Thyroxin and should be avoided when possible. Discontinuation of L-Thyroxin therapy for 4 weeks duration sometime after 3 years of age is a way of testing for transient CH.[8]

Although some experts suggest the use of radioisotope studies for all infants with suspected CH, others do not, and the thyroid scan is listed as an optional diagnostic study on the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines.[8]

As per the AAP guidelines, child is monitored for T4 and TSH values every 1-2 months for up to 6 months, every 3-4 months from 6-12 months and every 6-12 months from 3 years to completion of the growth.[8]

The presence of goiter in a newborn with primary hypothyroidism suggests transient hypothyroidism or intrinsic defect in thyroid hormone synthesis.[9] Since mother is euthyroid and not on any antithyroid drugs, dysharmonogenesis was considered to be the most probable cause of the hypothyroidism. In this case, diagnosis and treatment of goiter due to hypothyroidism occurred even earlier than most of other reported cases due to unusual presentation of thyroid mass in the neck. The long-term follow-up in children with levothyroxine have shown normal mean IQ values, satisfactory school performance and minimal motor dysfunction. However, speech defects and minimal CNS defects have been reported.[10] Infants who are treated adequately for CH since the first month of age have an excellent prognosis for normal intellectual function and linear growth. Infants who have prolonged fetal hypothyroidism, delayed skeletal maturation and low T4 values are most likely to have neurocognitive problems.[10]

The overall goals of treatment are to assure normal growth and development and psychometric outcome similar to genetic potential, by restoring the serum T4 concentration as rapidly as possible to a normal range followed by continued clinical and biochemical euthyroidism.[11] Compliance to treatment plan, periodic follow-up care and adjustment of therapy are essential for a good outcome. Goiter in newborn infants are not seen frequently but all pediatricians who deal with neonates should be in a position to recognize the syndrome, understand its cause and prognosis and to advise therapy.[12]