Hydrops fetalis (HF) consists of an abnormal accumulation of fluid in two o
r more fetal compartments, including ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial
effusion, and skin edema. Almost all observed cases of HF are of the nonim
mune type, the causes of which remain undetermined in 15% of patients. We r
eport a newborn infant with nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) and congenital
hypothyroidism. The infant's mother was healthy and there were no malforma
tions of the placenta or umbilical cord. The infant did not show any struct
ural abnormalities of his central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal
, or urinary tract systems, and there was no evidence of anemia, infectious
disease, or inborn error of metabolism. An immune-based process was unlike
ly, because the blood group of the mother and infant was A-positive and res
ults of an indirect Coombs test in the mother and a direct Coombs test in t
he infant were negative. The patient's condition gradually improved with me
chanical ventilation, repeated thoracocentesis, and total parenteral nutrit
ion. By day 5 of age the skin edema, pericardial effusion, and ascites disa
ppeared, but accumulation of significant amounts of chylous pleural fluid p
ersisted. Because of lethargy, FT, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels w
ere obtained and showed hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone supplementation was
then started, and within 4 days the infant became more vigorous and was we
aned from mechanical ventilation. After 7 days, the chylothorax resolved co
mpletely as the serum thyroxine level normalized. No reaccumulation of pleu
ral effusion was noticed. The infant started to gain weight and was dischar
ged from the hospital at 35 days of age. A possible pathophysiologic associ
ation between congenital hypothyroidism and NIHF is discussed. NIHF may be
caused by lymphatic congestion attributable to an impairment of lymphatic f
low and a delayed return of lymph to the vascular compartment. There could
be a possibility that because of thyroid hormone deficiency in this patient
there was reduced adrenergic stimulation of the lymphatic system. This cou
ld result in a sluggish flow of the lymph with engorgement of the lymphatic
system, leakage of lymph into the pleura and the interstitial spaces, and
the production of chylothorax with NIHF. Animal studies demonstrate a direc
t relationship between lymph flow rate or lung liquid clearance and adrener
gic receptor activity in the lymphatic system. These observations support o
ur hypothesis that deficient adrenergic activity in congenital hypothyroidi
sm might lead to chylothorax with NIHF in the fetus. We speculate that thyr
oid hormone may play a role in the regulation of adrenergic receptors in th
e lymphatic system and lungs, thus modulating both the lymphatic flow rate
and lung liquid clearance, and facilitating the resolution of chylothorax.
Examination of thyroid functions should be included in the investigation of
fetuses and neonates with NIHF of an obscure origin.