Thyroid disorders in pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose of review: There is now increasing understanding of the association between not only overt, but also subclinical, thyroid disorders and dysfunction with adverse reproductive outcome. In particular, hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity disorders have been shown to have both short- and long-term consequences on mother and child. An updated review is merited to revise many of the traditional views on thyroid disorders in pregnancy.

Recent findings: Thyroid disorders constitute the commonest group of pre-gestational endocrine disorders found in pregnant women. In mothers taking antithyroid medications, breastfeeding is considered safe. The relatively high prevalence of hypothyroidism, especially subclinical hypothyroidism, the significance of screening and treatment, and the roles of iodine insufficiency and thyroid antibodies on the outcome of pregnancy and long-term neurological development of the offspring have been documented. In hypothyroid women, the dose of thyroxine replacement often needs to be adjusted from as early as the first trimester to maintain an adequate circulating thyroxine concentration.

Summary: Apart from overt hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism diagnosed before and during pregnancy, biochemical abnormalities or evidence of thyroid autoimmunity in clinically euthyroid women can affect both obstetric outcome and long-term neurological development of the offspring. Screening for thyroid function and autoimmunity, and timely and appropriate treatment, will improve pregnancy outcome. The thyroid function of infants born to mothers with thyroid disorders should also be assessed as serial monitoring and treatment may be necessary.