Prospective Observational Study on Prevalence and Treatment Pattern of Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy

Research Article

Abstract

This prospective observational study examined hypothyroidism in pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India. Over six months, 1,272 pregnant women were screened, revealing an 11.55% prevalence of hypothyroidism. The study analyzed 100 hypothyroid pregnant women, with 70% of cases occurring in the 21-30 year age group. Subclinical hypothyroidism (59%) was more common than overt hypothyroidism (41%). Most cases (71%) were identified in the first trimester. Prevalent complications included pre-eclampsia (10%), gestational diabetes mellitus (10%), anemia (7%), and cardiac problems (7%). Socioeconomically, 61% of patients were from the upper-lower class. Levothyroxine treatment significantly reduced TSH levels (p<0.0001), indicating effective management. These findings shows the importance of early screening and proper treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes. The high prevalence observed suggests the need for routine thyroid function screening in antenatal care, particularly in high-risk regions. Ongoing research is essential to further refine treatment approaches and monitor long-term effects on mothers and their children