The impact of prolonged, maternal iodine exposure in early gestation on neonatal thyroid function

ContextHysterosalpingography (HSG) using oil-soluble contrast medium (OSCM) improves pregnancy rates but results in severe and persistent iodine excess, potentially impacting the fetus and neonate. ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of thyroid dysfunction in newborns conceived within six months of OSCM HSG. DesignOffspring study of a prospective cohort of women who underwent OSCM HSG. SettingAuckland region, New Zealand (2020-2022) ParticipantsOffspring from the SELFI (Safety and Efficacy of Lipiodol in Fertility Investigations) study cohort (n=57). MeasurementsAll newborns had a dried blood spot card for TSH measurement 48 hours after birth as part of New Zealand's Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme. Forty-one neonates also had a heel prick serum sample at one week to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Maternal urine iodine concentration (UIC) and TSH in the six months after OSCM HSG were retrieved from the SELFI study for analyses. Primary outcomeIncidence of hypothyroidism in the neonatal period. ResultsThere was no evidence of primary hypothyroidism on newborn screening (TSH 2-10 mIU/L). All neonates tested at one week had normal serum TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels. However, increasing maternal peak UIC levels during pregnancy were associated with lower TSH levels (p= 0.006), although also associated with lower FT4 levels (p=0.032). ConclusionsWhile pre-conceptional OSCM HSG in women did not result in neonatal hypothyroidism, gestational iodine excess was associated with a paradoxical lowering of neonatal TSH levels despite lower FT4 levels. These changes likely reflect alterations in deiodinase activity in the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary axis from iodine excess.

Automated summary

This study investigated the incidence of thyroid dysfunction in newborns conceived within six months of HSG using oil-soluble contrast medium. The results showed no evidence of primary hypothyroidism in the neonatal period, but maternal iodine excess during pregnancy was associated with lower neonatal TSH levels despite lower FT4 levels.