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Thyroid Medication Use and Birth Defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Meredith M Howley1, Sarah C Fisher1, Alissa R Van Zutphen1,2
1Congenital Malformations Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York.
Birth Defects Research
|August 1, 2017
Summary
Thyroid medication use during pregnancy was not linked to most birth defects. However, some associations were found with specific conditions like anencephaly and aortic valve stenosis, though underlying thyroid disease may be a factor.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Teratology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Thyroid disorders are prevalent in women of reproductive age.
- Hypothyroidism affects 2-3% of pregnancies; hyperthyroidism affects 0.1-1%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thyroid medication use and specific birth defects.
- Utilized data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).
Main Methods:
- A population-based, case-control study (NBDPS) analyzed data from 1997-2011.
- Included 31,409 birth defect cases and 11,536 controls.
- Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- Thyroid hormone use was associated with anencephaly (OR=1.68), holoprosencephaly (OR=2.48), hydrocephaly (OR=1.77), and small intestinal atresia (OR=1.81).
- Anti-thyroid medication use was associated with aortic valve stenosis (OR=6.91).
- Most studied birth defects showed no association with thyroid medication use.
Conclusions:
- Identified potential associations between thyroid medications and specific birth defects.
- Findings are consistent with prior NBDPS analyses.
- Observed associations may reflect underlying thyroid disease rather than teratogenicity of medications.
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