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. 2013 Jul;98(7):2725-33.
doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-4233. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Thyroid diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a contemporary US cohort

Tuija Männistö  1 , Pauline Mendola, Jagteshwar Grewal, Yunlong Xie, Zhen Chen, S Katherine Laughon
Affiliations

Thyroid diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a contemporary US cohort

Tuija Männistö et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Context: Thyroid diseases are inconsistently reported to increase risk for pregnancy complications.

Objective: The objective of this study was to study pregnancy complications associated with common and uncommon thyroid diseases.

Design, setting, and participants: We analyzed singleton pregnancies (N = 223 512) from a retrospective US cohort, the Consortium on Safe Labor (2002-2008). Thyroid diseases and outcomes were derived from electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 99% confidence intervals (99% CI).

Main outcome measures: Hypertensive diseases, diabetes, preterm birth, cesarean sections, inductions, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were analyzed.

Results: Primary hypothyroidism was associated with increased odds of preeclampsia (OR = 1.47, 99% CI = 1.20-1.81), superimposed preeclampsia (OR = 2.25, 99% CI = 1.53-3.29), gestational diabetes (OR = 1.57, 99% CI = 1.33-1.86), preterm birth (OR = 1.34, 99% CI = 1.17-1.53), induction (OR = 1.15, 99% CI = 1.04-1.28), cesarean section (prelabor, OR = 1.31, 99% CI = 1.11-1.54; after spontaneous labor OR = 1.38, 99% CI = 1.14-1.66), and ICU admission (OR = 2.08, 99% CI = 1.04-4.15). Iatrogenic hypothyroidism was associated with increased odds of placental abruption (OR = 2.89, 99% CI = 1.14-7.36), breech presentation (OR = 2.09, 99% CI = 1.07-4.07), and cesarean section after spontaneous labor (OR = 2.05, 99% CI = 1.01-4.16). Hyperthyroidism was associated with increased odds of preeclampsia (OR = 1.78, 99% CI = 1.08-2.94), superimposed preeclampsia (OR = 3.64, 99% CI = 1.82-7.29), preterm birth (OR = 1.81, 99% CI = 1.32-2.49), induction (OR = 1.40, 99% CI = 1.06-1.86), and ICU admission (OR = 3.70, 99% CI = 1.16-11.80).

Conclusions: Thyroid diseases were associated with obstetrical, labor, and delivery complications. Although we lacked information on treatment during pregnancy, these nationwide data suggest either that there is a need for better thyroid disease management during pregnancy or that there may be an intrinsic aspect of thyroid disease that causes poor pregnancy outcomes.

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