Prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Thyroid hormones are critical for thedevelopment of fetal neurological condition and maternalhealth. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy poses a significanthealth challenge because it is associated with several adversehealth outcome of child and mother.Objective: This study was done to assess the prevalence ofhypothyroidism in pregnant women in a tertiary care center.Materials and Methods: The study was done in a tertiary carecenter situated in outer periphery of Lucknow. The study wasconducted over a period of one and a half year. The studyincluded 1695 pregnant women.Results: According to the present study the prevalence ofhypothyroidism were 15.91% in first trimester, 11.90% insecond trimester and 13.82% in third trimester of pregnancyusing a cutoff TSH level of 4.20mIU/l.Conclusion: This study concludes that there is high incidenceof hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Majority of pregnantwomen show features of subclinical hypothyroidism during firsttrimester of pregnancy thus screening of hypothyroidismspecially in first trimester is necessary in our country.

A Study of Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzymes in Normal Pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a physiological state characterized by increased metabolic demand and an increased oxygen requirement. Augmented levels of oxidative stress would be expected because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen. Evidence of increased oxidative stress in normal pregnancy in comparison with non-pregnant controls was estimated by measuring the levels of lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase and catalase. It was observed that pregnant women were more susceptible to oxidative damage than nonpregnants as indicated by increased Malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidants.