Fetal growth and autoimmune thyroid disease

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a significant health concern in aging populations.
• Factors influencing adult susceptibility to AITD, particularly early life influences, require further investigation.
• Thyroid autoantibodies and autoimmune thyroiditis are key indicators of AITD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between fetal and infant growth parameters and the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and autoimmune thyroiditis in older adult women.
• To explore the role of early developmental environment in the susceptibility to adult autoimmune thyroid disease.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 305 women aged 60-71, with recorded birthweight, infant growth, and feeding data, was studied.
• Prevalence of thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAA), thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb), and autoimmune thyroiditis was assessed.
• Statistical analyses examined relationships between early growth metrics, adult anthropometrics, and thyroid autoimmunity markers.

Main Results:

• Thyroid autoantibodies (TgAA: 37%, TPOAb: 41%) and autoimmune thyroiditis (5.6%) were detected in the cohort.
• Higher birthweight was associated with a reduced proportion of women with TgAA and TPOAb.
• Adult body mass index (BMI) positively correlated with antibody prevalence, while waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) showed an inverse relationship.

Conclusions:

• Early life growth, specifically birthweight, is an important determinant of susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease in adulthood.
• Adult anthropometric measures like BMI and WHR have differential associations with thyroid autoimmunity, potentially mediated by hormonal environments.
• These findings highlight the long-term impact of early environmental exposures on immune system development and thyroid health.