Assessment of the Thyroid Function During the Three Trimesters of Pregnancy Among the Egyptian Population

Background: Pregnancy is associated with significant but reversible changes in the thyroid function that might cause maternal and fetal complications. Undetected and untreated thyroid disorders are associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, thus screening is important. There are limited data on the prevalence of newly diagnosed thyroid disease during pregnancy from Egypt. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the antenatal clinic of El-Shatby Maternity Hospital at Alexandria University. The total sample population comprised of 90 pregnant women divided into 30 women for each trimester compared with 30 non- pregnant healthy women regarding thyroid function parameters and thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti - TPO) by using COBAS analyzer measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay “WCLIA” employs monoclonal antibodies specifically directed against human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), FT3 and anti TPO. Results: 120 ladies were enrolled for this study aged between 20-45 years excluding subjects with previously diagnosed endocrinal anomalies. There were significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant females regarding TSH and FT4, but no significant difference regarding FT3 and anti TPO in all trimesters. Conclusion: There is a discrepancy between FT4 & TSH in pregnancy due to the presence of other stimulatory and inhibitory factors in pregnancy, thyroid anomalies increased with the advance in pregnancy, thus screening of TSH and anti TPO is important. Considering the immense impact that maternal thyroid dysfunction has on maternal and fetal outcomes, prompt identification of thyroid dysfunction and its timely treatment is essential.