Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cord blood iodothyronine and thyrotropin concentrations in newborns of mothers exposed to povidone iodine in the last trimester

  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, we have evaluated thyroid function in neonates at delivery and in their mothers who used vaginal povidone-iodine (PVP-I) during the last trimester of pregnancy. Newborns and their mothers without a history of iodine exposure, admitted to the same department and residing in the same geographical area served as controls. Maternal serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations at delivery were not significantly different between the two groups of pregnant women. Cord blood thyroid hormone concentrations in the newborns of iodine exposed mothers were not significantly different from those in control newborns. In contrast, cord blood TSH concentrations in the neonates of mothers exposed to PVP-I during the last trimester of pregnancy were significantly higher than values in control neonates (p < 0.05). These data confirm that the fetal thyroid gland, even in the last trimester of pregnancy, does not adapt completely to the inhibitory action of iodine on thyroid hormone synthesis and/or release.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wolff J. Iodide goiter and the pharmacologic effects of excess iodide. Am. J. Med. 47: 101, 1969.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Vagenakis A.G., Braverman L.E. Adverse effects of iodide on thyroid function. Med. Clin. North Am. 59: 1075, 1975.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Safran M., Braverman L.E. Effect of chronic douching with polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine on iodine absorption and thyroid function. Obstet. Gynecol. 60: 35, 1982.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bandini P., Robuschi G., Emanuele R., Gnudi A., Roti E. Dosaggio radioimmunologico della triiodotironina (T3) nel siero. Lab. J. Res. Lab. Med. 6: 495, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Roti E., Robuschi G., Bandini P., Emanuele R., Gnudi A. Radioimmunoassay of 3,3′, 5′ triiodothyronine (reverse T3) in unextracted serum: concentration in peripheral vein in normal, altered thyroid economy, after TRH injection and in thyroid vein. J. Nucl. Med. All. Sci. 23: 25, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Benotti J., Benotti N. Protein-bound iodine, total iodine, and butanol-extractable iodine by partial automation. Clin. Chem. 9: 408, 1963.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Foley T.P. Jr., Murphey W.H. Hypothyroidism at birth, during the first week of life and at approximately one month of age: comparison to primary T4 with secondary TSH screening. In: Burrow G.N., Dussault J.H. (Eds.), Neonatal Thyroid Screening. Raven Press, New York, 1980, p. 75.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wolff J., Chaikoff I.L. Plasma inorganic iodide as a homeostatic regulator of thyroid function. J. Biol. Chem. 174: 555, 1948.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Wolff J., Chaikoff I.L., Goldberg R.C., Meier J.R. The temporary nature of the inhibitory action of excess iodide on organic iodide synthesis in the normal thyroid. Endocrinology 45: 504, 1949.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Braverman L.E., Ingbar S.H. Change in thyroidal function during adaptation to large doses of iodide. J. Clin. Invest. 42: 1216, 1963.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Shepard T.H. Onset of function in the human fetal thyroid: biochemical and radioautographic studies from organ culture. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 27: 945, 1967.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Fisher D.A., Klein A.H. Thyroid development and disorders of thyroid function in the newborns. N. Engl. J. Med. 304: 702, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Roti E., Gnudi A., Braverman L.E. The placental transport, synthesis and metabolism of hormones and drugs which affect thyroid function. Endocr. Rev. 4: 131, 1983.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Jacobson J.M., Hankins G.V., Murray J.M., Young R.L. Self-limited hyperthyroidism following intravaginal iodine administration. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 140: 472, 1981.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Neeb U., Caesar I., Krause E. Passegere TSH-Erhohung des neugeborenen nach vaginaler Polyvinylpyrrolidon-Jod-Application sub partu. Geburtshilfe u Frauenheilk 39: 973, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sander J., Niehaus Ch. Konnatale hypothyreose. Munch. Med. Wochenschr. 122: 309, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. L’Allemand D., Gruters A., Heidemann P., Schurnbrand P. Iodine-induced alterations of thyroid function in newborns infants after prenatal and perinatal exposure to povidone iodone. J. Pediatr. 102: 935, 1983.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bachrach L.K., Burrow G.N. Maternal-fetal absorption of povidone-iodine. J. Pediatr. 104: 158, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Chabrolle J.P., Rossier A. Goitre and hypothyroidism in the newborn after cutaneous absorption of iodine. Arch. Dis. Child. 53: 495, 1978.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Castaing H., Fournet J.P., Leger F.A., Kiesgen F., Piette C., Dupart M.C., Savoie J.C. Thyroïde du nouveau-né et surcharge en iode après la naissance. Arch. Fr. Pediatr. 36: 356, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Brown R.S., Braverman L.E. Transient hypothyroidism in a premature infant after skin preparation with iodine. Pediatr. Res. 14: 475, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Jackson H.F., Sutherland R.M. Effect of povidone-iodine on neonatal thyroid function. Lancet 2: 992, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Lyen K.R., Finegold D., Orsini R., Herd J.E., Parks J.S. Transient thyroid suppression associated with topically applied povidone-iodine. Am. J. Dis. Child. 136: 369, 1982.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Nachman R.L., Esterly N.B. Increased skin permeability in preterm infants. J. Pediatr. 79: 628, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Theodoropoulos T., Braverman L.E., Vagenakis A.G. Iodide-induced hypothyroidism: a potential hazard during perinatal life. Science 205: 502, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Etling N., Gehin-Fouque F., Vielh J.P., Gautray J.P. The iodine content of amniotic fluid and placenta transfer of iodinated drugs. Obstet. Gynecol. 53: 376, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Pyati S.P., Ramamurthy R.S., Krauss M.T., Pildes R.S. Absorption of iodine in the neonate following topical use of povidone iodine. J. Pediatr. 91: 825, 1977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Silva J.E., Silva S. Interrelationships among serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, and thyroid stimulating hormone in iodine-deficient pregnant women and their offspring: effects of iodine supplementation. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 52: 671, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Endocrinologia e Patologia Costituzionale, University of Parma, Via A. Gramsci, 43100, Parma, Italy

    G. Robuschi, M. Montermini, E. Borciani, G. Cersosimo, L. Negrotti, A. Gnudi & Elio Roti M.D.

  2. Divisione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Ospedale C. Magati, Scandiano (RE), Italy

    A. Alboni

  3. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA

    M. Safran & L. E. Braverman

Authors
  1. G. Robuschi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Montermini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Alboni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Borciani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Cersosimo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. Negrotti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. A. Gnudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. M. Safran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. L. E. Braverman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Elio Roti M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Robuschi, G., Montermini, M., Alboni, A. et al. Cord blood iodothyronine and thyrotropin concentrations in newborns of mothers exposed to povidone iodine in the last trimester. J Endocrinol Invest 10, 183–186 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347188

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347188

Key-words

Search

Navigation