Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 36 P88 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.36.P88

BSPED2014 Poster Presentations (1) (88 abstracts)

Severe hypothyroidism developing in an infant with hepatoblastoma and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome: could there be a link?

Rebecca Cordingley 1 , Rachel Cox 2 , Susan Tomkins 3 & Christine P Burren 1


1Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK; 2Department of Paediatric Oncology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK; 3Department of Clinical Genetics, St Michaels Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.


Hypothyroidism presents diagnostic challenges when occurring in an extremely unwell infant with hepatoblastoma. This case indicates a possible link between Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and severe hypothyroidism.

Antenatally, the baby had polyhydramnios and an abdominal mass. After normal vaginal delivery at 38+4 weeks, examination showed macrosomia (4007 g) small nose, low set ears and inverted V-shaped mouth. Transient hypoglycaemia on day 1 required two glucose boluses, and thereafter resolved. The mass caused abdominal expansion, significant IVC compression and artificial ventilation requirement and Pretext IV hepatoblastoma was diagnosed. Chemotherapy (cisplatin/doxorubicin) was commenced aged 2 weeks but he ultimately required a liver transplant.

At 1 month he developed seizures, paucity of limb movements, abnormal tone and did not fix and follow. EEG showed right sided abnormalities. MRI showed oedema and bilaterally small hippocampi. Array CGH identified a maternally inherited 16p11.2 microduplication (187 kb) most likely of no clinical significance.

Severe hypothyroidism (TSH>100 mU/l, fT4<2.6 pmol/l) was noted at 3 months and thyroxine commenced. Normal Guthrie test was verified and the deterioration in function remains unexplained. Ultrasound showed normal thyroid location and size. No significant iodine exposure had occurred, neither chemotherapeutic agent was known to cause hypothyroidism and he was too young to invoke autoimmunity. Small hippocampi are reported in hypothyroidism, but do not infer aetiology. Hepatoblastoma cannot directly explain onset of hypothyroidism.

The baby died aged 4 months, his course complicated by sepsis, increased ventilation and worsening neurology. Molecular analysis showed significant loss of methylation at ICR2/KvDMR1, confirming a diagnosis of BWS and explaining the hepatoblastoma and hypoglycaemia but not clearly the hypothyroidism.

A tenuous link between BWS and congenital hypothyroidism appears in a small number of reports. Our case is the first reported with non-congenital onset. Additionally, the phenotypic features and severity are atypical for BWS indicating a possible additional genetic mechanism.

Volume 36

42nd Meeting of the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.