Study of thyroid function in pregnancy, its feto-maternal outcome; a prospective observational study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Endocrinology
• Neonatal Health

Background:

• Pregnancy significantly stresses maternal thyroid function, with thyroid dysfunction affecting a substantial number of pregnancies.
• Subclinical hypothyroidism, occurring in approximately 10% of pregnancies, can lead to adverse outcomes like anemia, low birth weight, and neonatal mental retardation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with abnormal thyroid profiles.
• To establish the association between hypothyroidism and adverse maternal and fetal effects during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study involving 198 antenatal women in their third trimester with singleton pregnancies.
• Exclusion criteria included multiple pregnancies, pre-existing thyroid disorders, or other medical conditions.
• Maternal thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH) and routine hematological parameters were assessed, with subsequent evaluation of maternal and fetal complications.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of thyroid disorders was 11%, including subclinical hypothyroidism (5.6%), overt hypothyroidism (3.5%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.5%).
• Hypothyroidism was significantly associated with anemia (26.3%), low birth weight (31.6%), NICU admissions (42.1%), and low APGAR scores (21.1%).
• Women with hypothyroidism faced significantly higher risks for anemia, low birth weight, NICU admissions, and low APGAR scores compared to euthyroid women.

Conclusions:

• Subclinical hypothyroidism affects 5.6% of women in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• Maternal hypothyroidism is significantly linked to anemia, pre-eclampsia, increased Cesarean rates, and neonatal morbidities.