Hypothyroidism complicating pregnancy

Abstract

In this report we describe 26 pregnancies complicated by hypothyroidism cared for over 6.5 years at AIIMS, New Delhi. In 2 women hypothyroidism was diagnosed during pregnancy; others were diagnosed before pregnancy and continued to receive thyroxine replacement therapy throughout pregnancy. The thyroxine treatment needed readjustment in 7 (26.9%) pregnancies to maintain euthyroidism. Maternal complications included anaemia (23.0%), pregnancy induced hypertension (26.9%), postpartum haemorrhage (7.7%), intrauterine growth retardation (15.4%), postdatism (30.8%), and deficient lactation (19.2%). Perinatal mortality was 3.9%. No case of stillbirth occurred probably because of intensive fetal monitoring and timely termination of pregnancies on evidence of intrauterine fetal compromise. One neonatal death occurred due to fetal thyrotoxicosis. In these cases close surveillance during pregnancy is needed to maintain optimum thyroid hormone concentration, and intensive fetal monitoring is required to achieve a good perinatal outcome.