Technetium-99 thyroid scan as an aid to diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism with normal initial thyroid function test

Authors

  • Niharika Khullar Department of Pediatrics, Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5054-0043
  • Sanjeev Dutta Department of Pediatrics, Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana, India
  • Zainuddin Shaikh Department of Pediatrics, Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20251885

Keywords:

Congenital hypothyroidism, Thyroid dysgenesis, Thyroid aplasia, Scintigraphy 99mTc

Abstract

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) occurs in 1:2,000 to 1:4,000 newborns, is often asymptomatic at birth, due to transplacental passage of maternal thyroid hormones and some thyroid production by the infant. CH is classified into permanent and transient forms, thyroid dysgenesis accounts for 85% while dyshormonogenesis 10-15% cases. CH is diagnosed through newborn screening, confirmation by elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and low T4 or free T4 levels. Thyroid radionuclide uptake, thyroid sonography, serum thyroglobulin, help identify the underlying cause, although treatment may begin prior to these tests. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing developmental delays and ensuring optimal growth and development in affected infants.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

De Felice M, Di Lauro R. Thyroid development and its disorders: genetics and molecular mechanisms. Endocr Rev. 2004;25(5):722-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2003-0028

Agrawal P, Philip R, Saran S, Gutch M, Razi MS, Agroiya P, et al. Congenital hypothyroidism. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2015;19(2):221-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.131748

LaFranchi SH. Hypothyroidism. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1979;26(1):33-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-3955(16)33670-7

Kaplan SA. Clinical pediatric endocrinology. Philadelphia: Saunders. 1990.

Rastogi MV, LaFranchi SH. Congenital hypothyroidism. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010;5:17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1750-1172-5-17

Vulsma T, Gons MH, de Vijlder JJ. Maternal-fetal transfer of thyroxine in congenital hypothyroidism due to a total organification defect or thyroid agenesis. N Engl J Med. 1989;321(1):13-6.

Vulsma T, Gons MH, de Vijlder JJ: Maternal-fetal transfer of thyroxine in congenital hypothyroidism due to a total organification defect or thyroid agenesis. N Engl J Med. 1989;321(1):13-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198907063210103

Calvo R, Obregon MJ, de Ona Ruiz C, del Rey Escobar F, de Escobar Morreale G. Congenital hypothyroidism, as studied in rats. Crucial role of maternal thyroxine but not of 3,5,3’-triiodothyronine in the protection of the fetal brain. J Clin Invest. 1990;86(3):889-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI114790

Delange F. Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism: results and perspectives. Horm Res. 1997;48(2):51-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000185485

LaFranchi SH, Murphey WH, Foley TP Jr, Larsen PR, Buist NR. Neonatal hypothyroidism detected by the Northwest Regional Screening Program. Pediatrics. 1979;63(2):180-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.63.2.180

Schoen EJ, Clapp W, To TT, Fireman BH: The key role of newborn thyroid scintigraphy with isotopic iodide (123I) in defining and managing congenital hypothyroidism. Pediatrics. 2004;114(6):e683-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-0803

Castanet M, Polak M, Bonaiti-Pellie C, Lyonnet S, Czernichow P, Leger J. Nineteen years of national screening for congenital hypothyroidism: familial cases with thyroid dysgenesis suggest the involvement of genetic factors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86(5):2009-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.86.5.7501

De Felice M, Di Lauro R. Thyroid development and its disorders: genetics and molecular

Downloads

Published

2025-06-25

How to Cite

Khullar, N., Dutta, S., & Shaikh, Z. (2025). Technetium-99 thyroid scan as an aid to diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism with normal initial thyroid function test. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 12(7), 1243–1245. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20251885

Issue

Section

Case Reports