Screening for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy

Author(s): Seena K. B.*, Reena Ravindran

Abstract

The present study was mainly focussed on following parameters, 1) The thyroid disease burden in pregnant females in our hospital, 2) Types of thyroid disorders in pregnancy, 3) Complications in pregnancy and delivery in those with thyroid dysfunction and 4) Whether routine screening for thyroid disorders in pregnancy is advisable. 300 pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy were randomly registered for the study at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govt. Medical College, Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala. After getting ethical clearance and informed consent from patients, data are collected as per proforma and interview of patients in first trimester of pregnancy. Free T4, Free T3 and TSH levels and if necessary, thyroid antibody levels are checked. Patients are followed up till delivery and immediate postpartum period and results are analysed. Prevalence of hypothyroidism was 6.6% and that of hyperthyroidism was 1.6%, in our study. Adverse maternal effects in the hypothyroid group were seen of which preeclampsia was most significant. Adverse fetal outcomes were also noted in the hypothyroid group of which intrauterine growth restriction was significant. The prevalence of thyroid disorders was high in our study. Hence, to avoid the associated maternal and fetal consequences, routine screening of thyroid function in pregnancy is recommended

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