Abstract
Objective. To assess androgen secretion and its possible effect on pregnancy in women with threatened miscarriage in the first trimester. Patients and methods. This prospective observational study included 120 pregnant women divided into four groups. Group I comprised 32 patients with threatened miscarriage and hyperandrogenism who received corticosteroids; Group II was composed of 28 patients with threatened miscarriage and hyperandrogenism who did not receive corticosteroids; Group III included 30 patients with threatened miscarriage and no hyperandrogenism; and Group IV comprised 30 women with normal pregnancy. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and total testosterone were measured on the following weeks of gestation: 5–8, 9–12, 13–18, 19–24, and 25–32. We also evaluated clinical outcomes of pregnancy. Results. We observed no significant differences in 17-ОНР and DHEA-S secretion between women from Group III and controls. Patients from Group II demonstrated higher hormone levels than controls; however, their dynamics of 17-ОНР and testosterone secretion was similar to that in women without hyperandrogenism, so their DHEA-S levels decreased and reached control values by the third trimester. Corticosteroids reduced 17-ONR secretion in the second and third trimesters and DHEA-S secretion in the third trimester. Women receiving corticosteroids demonstrated the poorest clinical pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion. Hyperandrogenism should be considered as one of the risk factors for poor pregnancy outcomes. Administration of corticosteroids to reduce androgen levels impairs normal dynamics of their secretion, does not improve pregnancy outcomes, and is potentially harmful; therefore, these drugs should not be used for such purposes. Key words: pregnancy, hyperandrogenism, corticosteroid therapy, pregnancy outcomes, pregnancy loss, androgen secretion, threatened miscarriage
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