Prevalence of sub clinical hypothyroidism and pregnancy outcome: a prospective comparative study

ABSTRACT

Background: In pregnancy, subclinical hypothyroidism is more common than overt hypothyroidism, ranging from 15% to 28% in Iodine sufficient region. Evidence suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women and adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods: This hospital based prospective comparative study was conducted over a period of 6 months from 1st July 2018 to 31st December 2018 in department of obstetrics and gynecology SKIMS Soura Kashmir. All the subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and who consented to participate were screened for subclinical hypothyroidism.Results: A total of 175 pregnant women participated in the study and subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 25 pregnant women (14.2%). Most of our patients were in age group 21 to 30 years (69.1%). Pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism had significant risk of preeclampsia (35%) and higher cesarean section rate (29.6%). Neonate of women with subclinical hypothyroidism had higher incidence poor Apgar score, NICU admission.Conclusions: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is high in pregnant women and the gravity of the complications like pre-eclampsia, neonate with low Apgar score, increased NICU admission, overweight the cost of screening. In this view, we propose screening of all pregnant women in the first trimester for diagnosis.