ASSESSMENT OF FETAL THYROID-FUNCTION BY COLORED DOPPLER ECHOGRAPHY

Background: The association of hyperthyroidism and pregnancy is a rare but serious condition which can jeopardize fetal outcome. Classical f ollow-up relies on: serial clinical and echographic assessment; serial funipuncture to determine fetal thyroid status, and maternal propylth iouracil (PTU) treatment to treat fetal and/or maternal hyperthyroidis m. Case: We report the case of a euthyroid patient with Graves' diseas e who had already been delivered of two hyperthyroid fetuses; the pres ent pregnancy revealed a hyperthyroid fetus diagnosed by funipuncture. Echography showed a fetal goiter at 28 weeks of gestation (WG) with i mportant signal on colored Doppler echography. We observed an extincti on of this signal as maternal PTU treatment was intensified. The patie nt was delivered of a mildly hyperthyroid newborn at 37 WG. Both newbo rn and patient are doing well. Conclusion: Fetal thyroid assessment by colored Doppler echography could help in the management of fetal thyr oid dysfunction.