Abstract
Iodine deficiency, thyroid dysfunction and development of thyroid autoimmunity during pregnancy may affect mother and the developing fetus. This study was carried out to find iodine status, thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity among pregnant women. Ninety two pregnant women from three districts of eastern Nepal (Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa) were enrolled for the study, and urine and blood samples were collected. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), free thyroxine (free T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody levels were estimated. The median UIC, mean free T4 and TSH, median thyroglobulin and anti-TPO antibody in the pregnant women were 282.2 (158.42-376) μg/L, 1.14±0.41 ng/dL, 4.57±2.56 IU/mL, 6.5 (4.0-11.0) ng/mL, 1.52 (0.97-2.23) IU/mL respectively. In sufficient (<150 μg/L), adequate (150-249 μg/L) and above requirements (250-499 μg/L) iodine intake was observed in 17 (18.5%), 22 (23.9%) and 53 (57.6%) women respectively. Subclinical hypothyroidism and overt hypothyroidism were seen in 18 (19.5%) and 1(1.1%) women, respectively. Elevated thyroglobulin (>40 ng/mL) and positive anti-TPO antibody was observed in three (3.26%) women for both. Iodine intake was sufficient among pregnant women recently, however, chronic iodine deficiency persisted in small fraction of pregnant women. Mild thyroid dysfunction was common, and thyroid autoimmunity was present in small portion of Nepalese pregnant women population.
Highlights
Iodine deficiency during childhood and pregnancy has greater negative effects than in other population.[1,2] Pregnancy has a profound impact on the thyroid gland and thyroid function.3Thus, thyroid disorders have been reported more often in women during pregnancy.[4,5] Uncorrected thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy has adverse effects on fetal and maternal well-being.[6]
Autoimmune thyroid disease can be the common cause for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in women, and development of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO) or thyroglobulin during pregnancy is associated with rise in a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes.[7]
We conducted the study among pregnant women of eastern Nepal to find iodine status, thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in such population
Summary
Iodine deficiency during childhood and pregnancy has greater negative effects than in other population.[1,2] Pregnancy has a profound impact on the thyroid gland and thyroid function.3Thus, thyroid disorders have been reported more often in women during pregnancy.[4,5] Uncorrected thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy has adverse effects on fetal and maternal well-being.[6]. We conducted the study among pregnant women of eastern Nepal to find iodine status, thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in such population. Thyroid dysfunction and development of thyroid autoimmunity during pregnancy may affect mother and the developing fetus. This study was carried out to find iodine status, thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity among pregnant women
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