Association between third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes

To study the effects of third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia (serum low free thyroxine and normal thyroid stimulating hormone level) on pregnancy outcomes, we performed a retrospective cohort study in women with singleton pregnancy between February 2009 and June 2012. Pregnant women were assigned to two groups, a hypothyroxinemia group (with maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia in the third trimester and normal thyroid function in the first and second trimesters) and a control group (with normal serum thyroid functions). The pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal distress, birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and Apgar score at one minute after the birth, were recorded and compared between the two groups. A total of 3,945 pregnant women (median age 26 year old) were included in the study, with 195 women in the hypothyroxinemia group and 3,750 women in the control group. Compared with the women in the control group, women in the hypothyroxinemia group had higher incidences of premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score at one minute after the birth. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the low third trimester serum thyroxine level was the independent risk factor for the premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score. There were no statistically significant differences in preterm birth, macrosomia, and intrauterine fetal distress between two groups. Third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The maternal serum thyroxine level should be monitored during late pregnancy and necessary management should be applied to improve the pregnancy outcomes.