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Maternal thyroid function in multiple pregnancies - a systematic review
Magdalena Zgliczynska1, Magdalena Ostrowska2, Iwona Szymusik1
1Department of Obstetrics, Perinatology and Neonatology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland.
Frontiers in Endocrinology
|February 3, 2023
Summary
Maternal thyroid function differs in multiple pregnancies (MP) compared to single pregnancies (SP), primarily due to higher human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Further research is needed to establish specific reference ranges for diagnosing thyroid conditions in MP.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Pregnancy involves significant physiological thyroid function changes.
- Multiple pregnancies (MP) present unique hormonal profiles, including elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), impacting maternal thyroid status.
- Understanding maternal thyroid function in MP is crucial for fetal and maternal well-being.
Approach:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases.
- Inclusion of original observational and experimental studies in English, excluding reviews and case reports.
- Qualitative synthesis of evidence from 12 eligible studies published between 1997 and 2022.
Key Points:
- Maternal thyroid function exhibits distinct patterns in MP compared to single pregnancies (SP).
- Elevated hCG levels in MP significantly influence thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroid hormone levels, particularly in the first trimester.
- Current data on maternal thyroid function in MP is limited.
Conclusions:
- Distinct population-based reference ranges for thyroid function tests are necessary for accurate diagnosis in MP.
- Avoiding misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment in pregnant individuals with MP is essential.
- Further research is imperative to address existing knowledge gaps in MP thyroid physiology.
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