The influence of thyroid disorders on the state of brain’s bioelectrical activity in pregnant women

Abstract

Background. Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine disorder after diabetes in pregnancy. Thyroid hormones are crucial for the growth and maturation of many target tissues, especially the brain and skeleton. During critical periods in the first trimester of pregnancy, maternal thyroxine is essential for fetal development as it supplies thyroid hormone-dependent tissues. The purpose of the study was to research the features of the bioelectrical activity of the brain in pregnant women with thyroid pathology and determine the frequency of such changes. Materials and methods. The state of bioelectrical activity of the brain was evaluated by electroencephalography in 160 pregnant women with thyroid pathology. The biopotentials of the brain in the subjects were studied with software and hardware complex DX-NT32 (DX Complexes software, Kharkiv, Ukraine) and computer processing of electroencephalography data. Electrodes in the amount of 16 pieces were applied according to the international scheme 10/20 in the bipolar interpretation. Results. Specific changes in electroencephalograms characteristic of each type of thyroid pathology and dependent on its severity were revealed in pregnant women. Acquired disorders adversely affect the course of pregnancy and childbirth in women with thyroid pathology. Increased anxiety with depressive tendencies, reduced general activity, a feeling of depression, anxiety, and low mood were detected in women with thyroid disorders. The identified criteria make it possible to attribute these changes to the manifestations of a pathological neurotic state in conditions of maladaptation, which was confirmed by electroencephalography data. Conclusions. The detected disorders of spontaneous and evoked brain activity indicate the existence of a cerebral basis of psychological stress, which has a qualitative effect on electroencephalography. Acquired disorders negatively affect the course of pregnancy, childbirth, perinatal outcomes, and future development of the child.