Divya Sara Raju1 , Jisha Ismail2 , Anjali Prem3
BACKGROUND Thyroid disease is the second most common cause of endocrine dysfunction in women of childbearing age. Foetus is dependent on maternal thyroxine and drugs that affect the maternal thyroid also affect the foetal gland. METHODS This is a prospective study, conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Medical College, Calicut, among pregnant women with abnormal TFT detected in the first trimester or early second trimester. Age, parity, type of thyroid dysfunction, symptoms and signs were recorded. Incidence of hyperemesis, previous abortions, and prolonged period of infertility were also recorded. Incidence of various maternal & foetal complication were studied. RESULTS Out of 131 cases, 77 were hypothyroid and 54 were hyperthyroid. Overt hypothyroid 51 cases were (38.9%), subclinical hypothyroid 26 (19.8%), overt hyperthyroid 39 (29.8%) and subclinical hyperthyroid 15 (11.5%). 40.5% of thyroid disorders complicating pregnancy occurred in the age group of 20-25 years. PIH (27.5%), anaemia (50%), IUGR (38.5%), Oligamnios (26%), were observed during antenatal period. Preterm labour (19.8%), LBW babies (38.2%), are also observed among these women. 20.6% babies needed NICU admission. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is quite common in our population. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy especially hyperthyroidism is associated with hyperemesis & has to be detected by routine screening. Thyroid dysfunction may have adverse effect on infertility & RPL. Maternal complications like PIH, anaemia, oligamnios, preterm labour, & foetal complications like IUGR, LBW, NICU admission are also common in thyroid disorders complicating pregnancy.
