HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PREGNANCY -SIGNIFICANCE OF ADEQUATE TREATMENT: A STUDY OF 100 CASES IN NORTH BIHAR

Abstract

Pregnancy is a nature's gift of humanity for procreation and continuation of its race. This gift is however fraught with several complications and has potential threat to the mother and the foetus. When pregnancy is compounded by endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, the potential for maternal and foetal adverse outcomes can be immense. While a lot of attention has been focused on the adverse foetal outcomes consequent to hypothyroidism, attention is also being gradually directed towards the adverse maternal outcomes of this disorder. Role of antibody positivity in inuencing outcomes in a euthyroid woman, also needs further clarication. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in pregnancy is very essential. Subclinical hypothyroidism also needs to be detected and treated to prevent adverse outcomes, especially maternal. Since women with hypothyroidism during pregnancy, especially of the autoimmune variety might have a are up of the disorder post-partum, or might continue to require thyroxine replacement post-partum, adequate follow-up is mandatory. While targeted case nding is generally practised, recent evidence seems to indicate that universal screening might be a better option. In conclusion, routine screening, early conrmation of diagnosis and prompt treatment allied with regular post-partum follow up, is required to ensure favourable maternal and foetal outcomes.