Screening of maternal thyroid disease in pregnancy: a review
D. Badiu, S. Vladareanu, T. Hangan, D. Navolan, D. Grigoras, I. Sas, O. Nicodin, R. Vladareanu
Abstract: Many changes occur in thyroid function as a result of the dynamics of serum thyroxine-binding globulin, estrogens and human chorionic gonadotropic hormone levels during pregnancy. Hyperthyroidism is defined as a thyroid stimulating hormone value below the normal range with elevated levels of free T3 and free T4. In opposition, hypothyroidism is defined as an elevated TSH level with a decreased level of free T3 or free T4. The most frequent adverse effects of hyperthyroidism are increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, preterm birth and preeclampsia. Untreated hypothyroidism is associated to psychoneurological deficiency in offspring. The main causes of hypothyroidism are chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’ thyroiditis), iodine deficiency, or thyroidectomy while hyperthyroidism is often determined by Morbus Graves. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the need for universal screening of thyroid disease during pregnancy. Therefore, this review discusses the clinical evidence related to thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women.
DOI:10.18643/gieu.2015.33