A Case of Congenital Chylous Ascites and Hypothyroidism: Coincidence or Association?

Abstract

Congenital chylous ascites (CA) is the rare accumulation of chyle in the peritoneal cavity, often occurring in infants under three months of age. In this case study, we report a case of congenital CA detected prenatally on routine 34-week fetal ultrasound in the presence of congenital hypothyroidism. Treatment consisting of thyroid hormone supplementation, a diet high in middle-chain triglycerides and octreotide administration was undertaken. To our knowledge, this is the second case of CA in the presence of congenital hypothyroidism described in the literature.

Keywords

• congenital chylous ascites
• hypothyroidism; newborn; octreotide.