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Overt and subclinical thyroid dysfunction among Indian pregnant women and its effect on maternal and fetal outcome

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Abstract

Purpose

Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine problems in pregnant women. It is now well established that not only overt, but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. There are few data from India about the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. With this background, this study aims to find prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and its impact on obstetrical outcome in Indian population.

Methods

Six hundred and 33 pregnant women in second trimester were registered. Detailed history and examination was done. Apart from routine obstetrical investigations, TSH level estimation was done. If TSH level was deranged then free T4 and thyroperoxidase antibody level estimation were done. Patients were managed accordingly and followed till delivery. Their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were noted.

Results

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was high in this study, with subclinical hypothyroidism in 6.47% and overt hypothyroidism in 4.58% women. Overt hypothyroids were prone to have pregnancy-induced hypertension (P = 0.04), intrauterine growth restriction (P = 0.01) and intrauterine demise (P = 0.0004) as compared to control. Cesarean section rate for fetal distress was significantly higher among pregnant subclinical hypothyroid women (P = 0.04). Neonatal complications and gestational diabetes were significantly more in overt hyperthyroidism group (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

Prevalence of thyroid disorders, especially overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (6.47%) was high. Significant adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome were seen emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Human Resource Development Group, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India for financial aid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India

    Vinita Das & Anjoo Agarwal

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Meenakshi Titoria Sahu & Suneeta Mittal

  3. Consultant Endocrinology, New Delhi, India

    Monashis Sahu

  4. SF-43, F-Block, Shastrinagar, Ghaziabad, 201001, UP, India

    Meenakshi Titoria Sahu

Authors
  1. Meenakshi Titoria Sahu
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  2. Vinita Das
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  3. Suneeta Mittal
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  4. Anjoo Agarwal
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  5. Monashis Sahu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meenakshi Titoria Sahu.

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Sahu, M.T., Das, V., Mittal, S. et al. Overt and subclinical thyroid dysfunction among Indian pregnant women and its effect on maternal and fetal outcome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 281, 215–220 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1105-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1105-1

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