MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOME AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN PRESENTING WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM

Background:Thyroid disorder is the second most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. The increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and the need for proper management to reduce obstetrical and neonatal adverse events led us to collect the baseline data on hypothyroidism in pregnancy in our population. Material and methods: A total of 1203 consecutive pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in our hospital and consented to participate were studied. All women were tested for TSH levels (determined by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay) . Women having higher than normal range of TSH (>2.5mIU/L in first trimester and >3.0mIU/L in second trimester were further tested with repeat TSH & T4. Results: 118 (9.8%) were found to be hypothyroid. The mean age of the women was 26.2?3.7years. 21.2% women had history of previous one or more spontaneous abortions, 15.3% had history of infertility. Symptoms of hypothyroidism were present in 33.9% women, 4.2% women had goiter. Mean BMI was 26.1kg/m2. 72.9% were newly diagnosed in current pregnancy and 27.1% were known cases of hypothyroidism. 18.1% women had pregnancy induced hypertension, 11.9% had preterm labor, and 10.2% each had placental abruption and premature rupture of membranes. 7.6% women had intrauterine growth restriction. Caesarean rate was 41.5% of which 54% were for foetal distress. 16% of neonates were admitted to NICU. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, we recommend universal screening of hypothyroidism in pregnancy for early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially treatable condition complicating pregnancy.