Maternal characteristics and outcomes affected by hypothyroidism during pregnancy (maternal hypothyroidism on pregnancy outcomes, MHPO-1)

Evaluating the effect of maternal non-communicable disease on adverse pregnancy outcomes and birthweight in Pakistan, a facility based retrospective cohort study

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) claim 74% of global lives, disproportionately affecting lower and middle-income countries like Pakistan. NCDs may increase the risk of preterm birth (PTB), caesarean section (CS), and low birthweight. This study aims to determine whether the high prevalence of NCDs in Pakistan play a role in the high rates of preterm births, and CS. This retrospective cohort study from Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan, investigated effects of pre-existing NCDs on pregnancy outcomes of 817 pregnant women. Medical records were used to generate odds ratios for the risk of PTB, labour outcome and birthweight in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, asthma and thyroid disorders. Multinomial logistic regression and general linear models were used to adjust for confounding variables using IBM SPSS Statistics (v27). Type 2 diabetes significantly increased the risk of PTB and elective CS (both P < 0.05). Elective CS was significantly increased by hypertension and asthma (both, P < 0.05). Surprisingly, asthma halved the risk of PTB (P < 0.05), while type 1 diabetes significantly increased birthweight from 2832 to 3253g (P < 0.001). In conclusion, pre-existing NCDs increase the risk of negative pregnancy outcomes, including PTB, elective CS and birthweight. Asthma, however reduced PTB and justifies further investigation.

Impact of levothyroxine therapy for maternal subclinical and overt hypothyroidism on early child neurodevelopment: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Treatment indication of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is undetermined, despite the wide administration of levothyroxine for maternal overt hypothyroidism (OH). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of levothyroxine for maternal SCH and OH in real-world practice, with a focus on early child neurodevelopment.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

Pregnant women diagnosed with SCH at the first antenatal visit were enroled and compared to those diagnosed with OH. Thyroid follow-ups were conducted during pregnancy. Early child neurodevelopment was assessed using the Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale (GDDS) at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of age.

RESULTS

From January 2012 to December 2013, a total of 442 pregnant women were included in final analysis, among whom 194 and 248 were assigned to the SCH and OH groups, respectively. The percentage of levothyroxine therapy at the first antenatal visit was significantly lower in the SCH group than that in the OH group (91.24% vs. 97.58%, p < .01), with a similar treatment rate at delivery (99.4% vs. 100%, p > .05). Notably, GDDS scores were lower in the SCH group than those in the OH group at 6 months to 2 years of age, which was confirmed by subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Children born with maternal SCH demonstrated slightly lower neuropsychological scores at 6 months to 2 years of age compared to those with maternal OH in the clinical practice. The therapeutic effect of maternal SCH on the child neurodevelopment requires further exploration.

Thyroid status in pregnancy: Comparison of thyroid function abnormalities in women with and without a history of miscarriage or stillbirth

Objective

To evaluate thyroid function tests (TFTs) during pregnancy in women with previous history of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out at the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Endocrinology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from February 2021 to March 2022. All multigravida women attending the antenatal clinics were included using consecutive sampling. These women were placed into two groups, Group-A comprised of women with no prior history of miscarriages or stillbirths, and those with a history of foetal death during previous pregnancies were assigned Group-B. Free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies were measured and the former two were used to label patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Results

A total of 139 multigravida women were included in the study. About 43% of the women had a history of miscarriages or stillbirths. Thyroid dysfunction was observed overall in 36.69 % women, of whom 25.18% had sub-clinical hypothyroidism, 6.47% had hypothyroidism and 5.04 % were sub-clinical hyperthyroid. Women in Group-B had more thyroid functions abnormalities compared to Group-A (p<0.05). Moreover, there was significant difference in median TSH and freeT4 between the groups (p<0.001). Overall, thyroid dysfunction was found in 66.67% of patients who had a history of foetal death.

Conclusions

In pregnant women with a history of miscarriage or abortion, thyroid functions abnormalities are common therefore routine thyroid testing is advised in pregnant women to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes.

Associations between hypothyroidism and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a study of a population database including over 184,000 women with hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND

Maternal hypothyroidism has been associated with multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings have not been confirmed in a large population database study. Therefore, a large population-based cohort study was established to study the associations between maternal hypothyroidism and pregnancy and perinatal complications.

METHODS

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study utilizing data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) over 11 years from 2004 to 2014. A cohort of all deliveries between 2004 and 2014 inclusive, was created. Within this group, all deliveries to women with hypothyroidism were identified as part of the study group (n = 184,869), and the remaining deliveries were categorized as non-hypothyroidism births and comprised the reference group (n = 8,911,919). The main outcome measures were pregnancy and perinatal complications.

RESULTS

Maternal hypothyroidism is associated with several pregnancy and perinatal complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR 1.43, 95%CI 1.38-1.47), gestational hypertension (aOR 1.17, 95%CI 1.11-1.22) and preeclampsia (aOR 1.21, 95%CI 1.16-1.27) (all p < 0.001). These patients are more likely to experience preterm premature rupture of membranes (aOR 1.19, 95%CI 1.09-1.29, p < 0.001), preterm delivery (aOR 1.12 95%CI 1.08-1.17, p < 0.001), are more likely to deliver by cesarean section (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.18-1.24, p < 0.001), and suffer from postpartum hemorrhage (aOR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13, p = 0.012), disseminated intravascular coagulation (aOR 1.20, 95%CI 1.00-1.43, p = 0.046), and undergo hysterectomy (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.13-1.80, p = 0.003).As for neonatal outcomes, small for gestational age and congenital anomalies are more likely to occur in the offspring of women with hypothyroidism (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.14-1.27 and aOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22-1.48, both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with hypothyroidism are more likely to experience pregnancy, delivery and neonatal complications. We found an association between hypothyroidism and hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, transfusions, infections, preterm delivery and hysterectomy, among other problems. This data from a population sized database confirms the findings of smaller previous studies in the literature.

Influence of thyroid autoimmunity at various clinical stages of hypothyroidism on the risk of miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation

PURPOSE

We aimed to clarify the influence of thyroid autoantibodies at various clinical stages of hypothyroidism on the risk of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.

METHODS

We enrolled 230 pregnant women with a history of recurrent miscarriage. Detailed clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing of thyroid function, antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and antithyroglobulin (anti-TG) were applied among all participants.

RESULTS

Coexisting overt hypothyroidism and positive thyroid autoantibodies quadrupled the risk of miscarriage in women before 20 weeks of gestation (OR 4.04, 95% CI = 2.08-7.96, P < 0.001). Women with subclinical hypothyroidism (OR 1.44, 95% CI = 0.81-2.57, P = 0.132,) or who were euthyroid (OR 1.53, 95% CI = 0.86-2.73, P = 0.094) showed a non-significant risk of miscarriage even with positive thyroid autoantibodies. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was positively correlated with the number of miscarriages rather than anti-TPO (P < 0.001 and 0.209, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Coexistence of overt hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity was the only significant driver of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.

Cesarean Section and Child Development at 3 Years: A Prospective Cohort Study of First Births in Pennsylvania

OBJECTIVES

The rising cesarean birth rate globally has led to increasing concern about long-term unintended consequences, with particular focus on child neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study investigated the association between cesarean birth and early child neurodevelopment, measured at 3 years of age.

METHODS

This was a large multicenter longitudinal prospective cohort study of first-time mothers and their offspring in Pennsylvania. Mothers completed adapted versions of two measures of child development at 36- months postpartum: the modified Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (M-PEDS) and a shortened Ages and Stages Questionnaire (S-ASQ). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between mode of delivery and delayed child development, controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

There were 695 (29.3%) children born by cesarean delivery and 1676 (70.7) born vaginally. Children born by cesarean had increased odds of scoring as developmentally delayed on both measures of child development: the M-PEDS (8.9% cesarean and 5.1% vaginal, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-2.24)) and the S-ASQ (6.3% cesarean and 3.3% vaginal, aOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.09-2.54). Additional factors associated with developmental delay were male sex, and the maternal factors of high pre-pregnancy body mass index, thyroid disorder, and diabetes.

CONCLUSION

In this large prospective cohort study of first-time mothers and their offspring, cesarean delivery was found to be associated with an elevated risk of delayed child development at age 3 years. This analysis highlights the importance of continued research to understand the impact of cesarean delivery on child development.

Maternal Subclinical Hyperthyroidism and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

CONTEXT

Findings from studies evaluating adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism are conflicting and inconclusive.

OBJECTIVES

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our aim was to evaluate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism, compared to euthyroid women.

DATA SOURCES

Scopus, PubMed (including Medline), and Web of Science databases were systemically searched for regaining published studies to January 2022 examining adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

STUDY SELECTION

Outcomes of interest were classified into seven composite outcomes, including hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, macrosomia/large for gestational age (LGA), pregnancy loss, adverse maternal outcomes, adverse neonatal outcomes, and adverse fetal outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION

In this meta-analysis, both fixed and random effect models were used. Publication bias was also evaluated by Egger test and the funnel plot, and the trim and fill method was conducted in case of a significant result, to adjust the bias.

RESULTS

Of 202 records retrieved through searching databases, 11 studies were selected for the final analyses. There were no significant differences in pooled ORs of hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, macrosomia/LGA, and pregnancy loss in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism, compared to the euthyroid controls. The pooled OR of adverse maternal, neonatal, and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism was not statistically significantly different from that of the euthyroid control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The current meta-analysis demonstrated that subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is not related with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Therefore, clinicians should be avoided unnecessary treatments for pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Effect of Levothyroxine Sodium Tablets on Pregnancy Outcome and Offspring Development Quotient of SCH during Pregnancy

Objective. To investigate the effect of levothyroxine sodium tablets (L-T4) on pregnancy outcome and offspring development quotient in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy. Material and Methods. Pregnant women with gestational age less than 12 weeks who underwent the first prenatal examination in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were prospectively selected as subjects. According to the level of thyroid hormone in pregnant women, they were divided into the treatment group (n = 63) and received L-T4 treatment, untreated group (n = 64), and control group (n = 54). Three groups of pregnancy outcomes, children’s physical development, and the development of offspring were compared at when one full year of life. Results. After treatment, the contrast difference of the three groups about abortion and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was statistically significant ( $P<0.05$ ). The abortion rate and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the untreated group were higher than those in the control group ( $P<0.05$ ). The contrast difference of the treatment group and control group about abortion and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not statistically significant ( $P>0.05$ ); The contrast difference of the three groups about a filial generation at birth and one-year-old body length is not statistically significant ( $P>0.05$ ). The contrast difference between the three groups of individual children who are one-year old having the individual action energy, material ability, speech ability, and human ability is statistically significant ( $P<0.05$ ). One-year-old developmental quotient (DQ) of the treatment group and control group was higher than that of the untreated group ( $P<0.05$ ); the Pearson correlation analysis showed that the treatment group TSH levels have no correlation between the offspring developmental quotient (DQ) level of one-year-old children ( $P>0.05$ ). Conclusion. Levothyroxine sodium tablets (L-T4) can not only improve the pregnancy outcome of patients with SCH during pregnancy but also play a positive role in improving the neurointellectual development of their offspring.

Cord blood metabolomics reveals gestational metabolic disorder associated with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies positivity

Background

Thyroid disease is one of the common endocrine disorders affecting the pregnant women, in which thyroid autoimmunity can alter the progress and the outcome of pregnancy. Women with euthyroid status but anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies positivity before pregnancy are prone to subclinical gestational hypothyroidism. However, the connections between anti-TPO antibodies positivity and gestational hypothyroidism remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the differences of fetal metabolic profile at birth according to maternal anti-TPO status.

Methods

We performed 1H-NMR metabolomics on cord blood of a nested case control cohort of 22 pregnant women with matched thyroid hormone levels and demographic data, including 11 women with euthyroid status but anti-thyroid antibodies positivity (into the anti-TPO antibodies positivity group) and 11 matched women as controls with euthyroid status and negative anti-thyroid antibodies (into the control group).

Results

Distinct metabolic profiles were observed between the anti-TPO antibody positivity group and the nested control group, from which a total of 10 metabolites with between-group altered abundances were structurally identified. Five out of the 10 metabolites were up-regulated in the anti-TPO antibodies positivity group, including D-Glucose, L-Glutamine, 3-Hydroxybutyric acid, Myo-Inositol, Creatinine. The other 5 metabolites were down-regulated in the anti-TPO antibodies positivity group, including L-Leucine, L-Lysine, L-Glutamic acid, L-Tyrosine, and L-Phenylalanine. All the 10 metabolites have been previously reported to be correlated with hypothyroidism. Metabolite set enrichment analysis and pathway analysis suggested that amino acid metabolism pathways (especially the phenylalanine metabolism) were associated with anti-TPO antibodies positivity.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggested that fetal metabolic disorder is correlated with anti-TPO antibodies positivity, representing by abundance alteration of hypothyroidism associated metabolites and the related disturbance of amino acid metabolism pathways.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04564-8.

Levothyroxine dosages during pregnancy among hypothyroid women. An experience from a tertiary care center of Karachi, Pakistan, based on data from Maternal Hypothyroidism on Pregnancy Outcomes Study (MHPO-5)

Objectives

The dosage of levothyroxine (LT4) during pregnancy differs among different ethnic groups worldwide. These differences are due to variations in geographical iodine distribution, autoimmunity, and variations in thyrotropin (TSH) targets for pregnancy. To the best of our knowledge, we report the levothyroxine dosage prescribed during pregnancy in hypothyroid women, for the first time from Pakistan.

Results

Levothyroxine dosage of 280 hypothyroid women during pregnancy were reviewed. The median LT4 dosages prescribed before conception was 85.7 mcg per day which increased by 14.3 mcg per day in the first trimester (P 0.001). A significant difference in dosage was observed between controlled and uncontrolled TSH groups in the first trimester (P 0.05). Lower LT4 dosage was prescribed for subclinical hypothyroid women as compared to overt hypothyroid cases, whereas dosages did not differ according to autoimmune status in the latter part of gestation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-05984-7.

Hypothyroidism is prevalent among adult women with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To define the prevalence of hypothyroidism in women with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to compare the severity of each symptom between patients with hypothyroidism and controls.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we screened all adult women who came to the urology clinic between March 2017 and September 2020, and enrolled patients with chronic LUTS in the study. We assessed thyroid function. We evaluated the severity of voiding and storage urinary symptoms by the International Prostate Symptom Score. We also assessed the severity of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). For between-group analysis, we selected age-matched cases and controls and compared them regarding the distribution and severity of urinary symptoms.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and twenty-five women with a mean age of 51.7 ± 14.0 years were included in the final analysis. Two hundred fifty-eight patients (35.6%) had hypothyroidism. Age-matched case and control groups consisting of 210 patients each were selected. There was no significant difference in the severity and distribution of voiding LUTS and UUI between the study groups (P values >0.05). The severity of storage symptoms was lower in patients with hypothyroidism (P = 0.04). Sixty-seven patients with hypothyroidism (31.9%) had SUI, which was significantly higher than controls (23.3%) (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

More than one-third of women with chronic LUTS have hypothyroidism which is much more frequent than in the general population. We also suggest a possible relationship between hypothyroidism and the severity of SUI and an inverse relationship between hypothyroidism and storage symptoms.

Iodine deficiency in pregnancy along a concentration gradient is associated with increased severity of preeclampsia in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in South Africa. Iodine deficiency in pregnancy, which is amenable to correction through iodine supplementation, has been reported to increase the risk of preeclampsia. However, the association of iodine nutrition status with preeclampsia in South Africa has not been studied.

Methods

We enrolled 51 randomly selected normotensive pregnant controls at term together with 51 consecutively selected cases of preeclampsia and 51 cases of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, all in the third trimester, from Mthatha Regional and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (FT4) and thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were compared between cases and controls.

Results

The respective chronological and gestational ages at enrolment for normotensive, preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia participants were: age 23, 24 and 19 years (p = 0.001), and gestational age 38, 34, and 35 weeks (p < 0.001). The median gravidity was 1 for all three groups. The median UIC, FT4, FT3 revealed a decreasing and Tg a rising trend with the severity of preeclampsia (p < 0.05). TSH had a non-significant rising trend (p > 0.05). The respective median values for normotensive, preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia participants were UIC 217.1, 127.7, and 98.8 μg/L; FT4 14.2, 13.7, and 12. pmol/L; FT3 4.8, 4.4, and 4.0 pmol//L; Tg 19.4, 21.4, and 32. Nine microgram per liter; TSH 2.3, 2.3, and 2.5 mIU/L. UIC < 100 μg/L, Tg > 16 μg/L and FT4 < 11.3 pmol/L were independent predictors of preeclampsia/eclampsia syndrome.

Conclusion

Women with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia had significantly low UIC and high Tg, suggesting protracted inadequate iodine intake. Inadequate iodine intake during pregnancy severe enough to cause elevated Tg and FT4 deficiency was associated with an increased risk of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Relationship between maternal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and in vitro fertilisation-conceived pregnancy outcomes

Background:

Thyroid dysfunction impairs female fertility and pregnancy outcome. Optimal preconception and gestational TSH level is still debatable in IVF-conceived pregnancies.

Aims:

To explore the relationships of IVF success and pregnancy outcomes with maternal serum levels of TSH (at both preconception and 12-week IVF-conceived pregnancy). Also, to confirm or refute the recommended TSH level ≤2.5μIU/mL.

Study Setting and Design:

Retrospective cohort.

Material and Methods:

158 IVF-conceived pregnant women and 117 age-matched controls non-pregnant (≤39years, BMI 18.5-38kg/m2) were recruited. Preconception and 12-week IVF-conceived pregnancy serum samples were analysed for reproductive hormones, fasting glucose, insulin and TSH levels. Data of pregnant women at 28 weeks for GDM screening (75-gram OGTT) and up until delivery were included.

Statistical Analysis:

Binary logistic regression used to predict association between preconception TSH levels and IVF success, and pregnancy outcomes. Association of delta change of hormones was determined with linear regression. Significance level P≤0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

Overall, median (IQR) age was 32(6)years, BMI 25.4(6.9)kg/m2, HbA1c 5.2(0.52)% and TSH 1.82(1.4)μIU/mL. There was no significant association between preconception TSH level and IVF success rate. During the first trimester of IVF-conceived pregnancy, delta change in TSH level was associated with that of progesterone (P=0.03). 12-week gestation TSH level did not predict adverse pregnancy outcomes (i.e. onset of GDM, delivery type and premature delivery); but a higher TSH level predicted earlier delivery in weeks. There was a higher risk of delivery by caesarean section when TSH>2.5μIU/mL.

Conclusion:

Variation of maternal TSH within normal range (0.4-4.0μIU/mL) at preconception and 12-week gestation has no predictive effect on IVF success and pregnancy outcomes in IVF-pregnancy. Our data provide no support for a recommended preconception TSH level ≤2.5μIU/mL in IVF-conceived pregnancy, but rather promote a preconception TSH level within normal range.

Neonatal outcomes and congenital anomalies in pregnancies affected by hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND

Maternal hypothyroidism has been reported to have concerns over neonatal outcomes, not only in the context of neurocognitive development but also in the short term as birth weight and neonatal jaundice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study on 638 cases who delivered live births in the Aga Khan University Hospital after ethical approval. Data were collected on hypothyroid pregnant females who were diagnosed before conception or during their antenatal visits during the year 2008-2016. Neonatal outcomes were noted for birth weight, maturity, and neonatal jaundice, neonatal hypothyroidism, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, hypocalcaemia, congenital anomalies, need for intensive care admission, and neonatal death. Subgroup analysis was performed on the timing of diagnosis of maternal hypothyroidism. Data analysis was performed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0.

RESULTS

Neonatal jaundice was the most common neonatal outcome (37.6%) in our cohort of 662 live births. Nearly 15% required intensive care unit admission, however, neonatal death was very rare. The most common clinically significant congenital anomalies were cardiovascular defects, whereas Mongolian spots were the commonest congenital condition to report. There is a statistically significant association between low birth weight (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.0-3.2, p ≤ 0.05) and congenital anomalies (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.4-4.0, p ≤ 0.05) with women diagnosed with hypothyroidism before pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

We report the neonatal outcomes and spectrum of congenital anomalies of hypothyroid pregnancies diagnosed before and during conception for the first time from the region of Pakistan.KEY MESSAGEOverall, none of the neonates of hypothyroid pregnancies developed congenital hypothyroidism.Cardiovascular defects in these neonates imply extensive screening and monitoring during pregnancy.Low birth weight and congenital anomalies are associated with the timings of diagnosis of hypothyroidism in pregnancy.

Relationship between Thyroid Status during the First Trimester of Pregnancy and Neonatal Well-Being

Iodine is an essential micronutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The proper functioning of the thyroid axis is essential for the normal development of the nervous system, especially in the first trimester of gestation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the perinatal outcomes, anthropometry, and APGAR test scores of newborns and to relate them to maternal thyroid status. A total of 190 newborns participated in the study. No correlation was found between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and maternal ioduria values in the first trimester of gestation with the weight or length of the newborn, or the APGAR score at one minute after birth. However, we found significant differences between the APGAR scores of children whose mothers had an iodine sufficiency level in the first trimester compared to the children of mothers with iodine deficiency. Similarly, the APGAR scores of children whose mothers had a TSH > 4 have significantly better APGAR scores than the children of mothers with a TSH < 4. Likewise, we found significant differences between the measurements of the newborns depending on whether their mothers smoked. The children of mothers who took iodine supplements or iodized salt obtained the highest APGAR score at one and five minutes after birth. It is essential to focus on recommending adequate consumption of iodine supplements and iodized salt prior to gestation and at least during the first trimester to achieve better fetal well-being.

Association of thyroid antibodies status on the outcomes of pregnant women with hypothyroidism (maternal hypothyroidism on pregnancy outcomes, MHPO-4)

Background

Autoimmunity increases with age and is often commonly evaluated in women of the reproductive age group. Prevalence of thyroid antibodies is common even in euthyroid pregnant women. We aim to compare the association of thyroid antibody status on the maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with hypothyroidism.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study on 718 cases in the Aga Khan University Hospital. Information was collected on pregnant women who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism before conception or during their antenatal period. Laboratory data were recorded for thyroid peroxidase antibodies, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were also noted from medical file records. Data analysis was performed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0.

Results

Overall, 146 out 718 cases were included for final analysis. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were positive in 66.4% and anti-thyroglobulin was positive in 52.1% cases, whereas 43.8% of cases had both antibodies positive. Pre-gestational diabetes was significantly associated with thyroid autoimmunity. There was a 73% less chance of gestational hypertension for thyroid autoimmune groups. Gestational diabetes and maternal (chronic) hypertension were found to have an independent effect on postpartum hemorrhage. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were found to have an independent risk for premature birth.

Conclusion

Our study reports a 74.7% prevalence of positive thyroid antibodies in hypothyroid pregnant women, with higher association with pre-gestational diabetes. Gestational hypertension was least likely to occur in thyroid autoimmune groups. None of the outcomes were independently associated with worse outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03594-y.

Prevalence of Thyroid Autoimmunity in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Background and objectives: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has been associated with a significantly increased risk of miscarriage in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TAI in women with RPL and compare the clinical characteristics of positive and negative TAI women. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study; 203 women with RPL were included. Thyroid profile, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin (TG-Ab) antibodies were measured in all participants. Clinical characteristics and causes of RPL were compared between positive and negative TAI. Results: Prevalence of TAI was 14.8%; prevalence of positive TPO-Ab and TG-Ab was 12.3% and 4.9%, respectively. Women with TAI had significantly higher concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) compared to women without TAI (4.8 ± 3.8 versus 3.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in age, the number of gestations, miscarriages, state of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), or causes of RPL between women that were TAI-positive versus TAI-negative. Prevalence of positive TAI by cause of RPL was: endocrine 7/25 (28%), genetic 1/5 (20%), autoimmune 1/5 (20%), anatomic 8/55 (14.5%), and unexplained cause 13/112 (11.6%). Conclusions: The prevalence of TAI in women with RPL is 14.8%. Women with an endocrine cause have the highest prevalence of TAI.

Cluster Analysis: A New Approach for Identification of Underlying Risk Factors and Demographic Features of First Trimester Pregnancy Women

Thyroid pathology is reported internationally in 5-10% of all pregnancies. The overall aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism and risk factors during the first trimester screening in a Mexican patients sample. We included the records of 306 patients who attended a prenatal control consultation between January 2016 and December 2017 at the Women's Institute in Monterrey, Mexico. The studied sample had homogeneous demographic characteristics in terms of age, weight, height, BMI (body mass index) and number of pregnancies. The presence of at least one of the risk factors for thyroid disease was observed in 39.2% of the sample. Two and three clusters were identified, in which patients varied considerably among risk factors, symptoms and pregnancy complications. Compared to Cluster 0, one or more symptoms or signs of hypothyroidism occurred, while Cluster 1 was characterized by healthier patients. When three clusters were used, Cluster 2 had a higher TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) value and pregnancy complications. There were no significant differences in perinatal variables. In addition, high TSH levels in first trimester pregnancy are characterized by pregnancy complications and decreased newborn weight. Our findings underline the high degree of disease heterogeneity with existing pregnant hypothyroid patients and the need to improve the phenotyping of the syndrome in the Mexican population.