A Child with Prostaglandin I(2)-associated Thyrotoxicosis: Case Report

Prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) causes hyperthyroidism, a critical complication in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, it remains unknown whether PGI(2) may have unfavorable effects on thyroid function in children with congenital portosystemic venous shunt syndrome (CPSVS). We present a boy with CPSVS who developed PAH at seven years of age. During ongoing PGI(2) therapy, he experienced thyrotoxicosis at 17 years of age. The literature review showed that the reported 12 patients with PAH (median 11 years of age) developed hyperthyroidism during between one and 11 years of PGI(2) treatment. Only one patient survived the acute PAH crisis due to hyperthyroidism. These data provide evidence that prophylactic intervention for hyperthyroidism is indicated for children with CPSVS during PGI(2) treatment.