Effect of Oxidative Stress on Fetus Outcome in Hypothyroidism Associated Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Region of India

Abstract

Introduction: Oxidative stress occurs due to the imbalance between reactive oxygen species generation & antioxidant defense which is more in pregnancy in comparison to normal population & it is also further augmented in hypothyroidism which is often detrimental for the fetus.We try to find the oxidative stress and its effect on mother and baby in the pregnant hypothyroid women.Materials & Methods: we compared the total oxidative stress (TOS) by modified free oxygen radical test in 250 pregnant women (out of which 78 were hypothyroid & 172 euthyroid) compare the same in 250 non pregnant women from antenatal & G&O OPD of NRS Medical College, Kolkata. fT4 & TSH were estimated by ELISA method using standardized kit. Fetal outcome was measured in terms of birth asphyxia, neonatal hypothyroidism, low birth weight & early neonatal sepsis.Result: Significantly higher levels of TOS (p<0.001) has been found in hypothyroid pregnant population than euthyroid. One way ANOVA test done between nonpregnant, pregnant euthyroid & pregnant hypothyroid population, came statistically significant (F=410.4 & p<0.05). posthoc ANOVA shows significant difference with each other between all the 3 groups. Significanltly increased levels of neonatal hypothyroidism, birth asphyxia & low birth weight has been found with babies of hypothyroid mothers.Discussion: oxidative stress has been proved here to be augmented in pregnancy which is further worsen in hypothyroidism causing poor fetal outcome.