Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy treated with LT 4 on the growth and neuropsychology of offspring aged 0-36 months: A cohort study / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy treated with LT 4 on the growth and neuropsychology of offspring aged 0-36 months. Methods:A maternal-infant cohort was established in healthy singleton pregnant women aged 20-45 years without history of thyroid disease. Women developing subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy were treated with LT4. The weight, length, and head circumference of the offspring were recorded between 0 to 36 months after birth. Meanwhile, infant nutrition and family support were investigated. The Neuropsychological Development Questionnaire of 0-6 year old children was used to evaluate the neurodevelopment of offspring.Results:A total of 186 mother-infant pairs were included. All subjects were divided into the euthyroidism(ETH) group( n=136) and subclinical hypothyroidism(SHT) group( n=50) according to maternal thyroid function during pregnancy. The Z-scores(adjusted by months of age and gender) of weight, length, weight/length at birth, weight/length at 1 month, head circumference at 6 months, length at 8 months, weight/length at 24 months of SHT group were lower than those of the ETH group( P<0.05). Furthermore, the language competence of the SHT offspring at 12 months of age was also lower than that of the ETH group( P<0.05). Maternal subclinical hypothyroidism treated with LT 4 did not significantly affect preterm delivery, low birth weight, and developmental quotient <85, but reduced the risk of macrosomia(AOR 0.206, 95% CI 0.046-0.929, P=0.040). Conclusion:Although women with subclinical hypothyroidism received LT 4 treatment during pregnancy, the offspring still may suffer adverse effects on their growth and neural development.