Fetal growth and neonatal thyroid function of treated maternal hypothyrdis

ABSTRACT

This study was done to investigate if treated maternal hypothyroidism may affect fetal growth and neonatal thyroid function. An observational and analytical study was conducted over one year to compare between two groups a study group [infants of treated hypothyroid mothers] and a control group [infants of healthy mothers]. Growth parameters [birth weight, length and head circumference], TSH and free T4 were performed for the study population. It was found that growth parameters were significantly smaller in the study group. Also, it was found that both TSH and FT4 were significantly higher in the study group. The study recommends that close monitoring of thyroid function throughout pregnancy and careful adjustment of thyroid supplementation dosage are essential for pregnant women to avoid the potential ill effects of an insufficient availability of thyroid hormone to the fetus