M. Novaes et al., ELEVATION OF CORD-BLOOD TSH CONCENTRATION IN NEWBORN-INFANTS OF MOTHERS EXPOSED TO ACUTE POVIDONE-IODINE DURING DELIVERY, Journal of endocrinological investigation, 17(10), 1994, pp. 805-808
The thyroid function in full term newborn infants of 30 pregnant women
given topical germicide providine-iodine (PVPI) during delivery was e
valuated. For comparison 12 full term newborn infants of pregnant wome
n using clorhexidine hydrochloride as germicide in selective cesarean
section were designed as control. The two pregnant groups had similar
median age (27.5 yr in PVPI group, range: 19-42 yr and 28.5 yr in cont
rol group, 19-40 yr) and gestational age (39 weeks, 38-42 weeks and 39
.5 weeks, 38-42 weeks). Birth weight (3365 g, 2500-3860 g and 3265 g,
2850-4000 g) and the apgar score (9, 9-10 and 9, 8-10) of newborn were
similar in both groups. Umbilical cord blood samples were taken after
immediate clamping and serum total T-3, total T-4, free T-4 and TSH c
oncentrations were assayed by an immunofluorimetric method. T-3, T-4 a
nd free T-4 concetrations in the cord blood were not different in PVPI
newborn infants (median values: 0.92 nmol/L, 135 nmol/L, and 15.9 pmo
l/L), in comparison to control newborns (0.97 mmol/L, 140.9 nmol/L and
17.3 pmol/L). In contrast, cord blood TSH concentration in newborn in
fants of PVPI pregnant women (median value: 6.47 mIU/L) was significan
tly higher (p<0.01) than in control newborn infants (4.8 mIU/L). In PV
PI exposed group 14 out of 30 newborn infants had TSH concentration ab
ove the upper value (6.7 mIU/L) observed in the control groups (X(2) =
8.4, p<0.01). These data-suggest that fetal thyroid is susceptible ev
en to acute iodine overload and support the recommendation that PVPI s
hould be avoided during pregnancy.