The Role of Maternal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Receptor Blocking Antibodies in the Etiology of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Considering the role of maternal thyroid stimulatinghormone (TSH) receptor blocking antibody (TRAb) in the etiology ofcongenital hypothyroidism (CH), this study aimed to determine TRAbamong patients with CH in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In this case–control study, patients with CH and their motherswere compared with a group of healthy neonates and their mothers.Venous blood samples were obtained for measurement of TRAb usingenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method among mothersand their neonates. TSH of mothers was also determined.Results: The case group consisted of 65 patients with CH and theirmothers; controls were 148 healthy neonates and their mothers. Theprevalence of positive TRAb in patients with CH and their motherswas higher than in the control group (81.5% vs. 1.3% in mothers and80% vs. 0% in neonates, respectively, P<0.05). The relationship betweenthe TRAb and occurrence of CH was significant (P<0.05), whereas thecorresponding figure was not significant for TRAb and the level ofmaternal and neonatal TSH in case and control groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: It seems that autoimmunity has an important role inthe etiology of CH. Further studies are necessary to determine otherautoantibodies in CH patients.Keywords: Congenital hypothyroidism, etiology, thyroid stimulatinghormone receptor blocking, autoimmunity