Antithyroid antibodies underlying thyroid abnormalities and miscarriage or pregnancy induced hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether asymptomatic abnormalities, including thyroid auto-antibodies, were associated with an abnormal miscarriage rate or a poor obstetric outcome.


METHODS
Prospective study of thyroid auto-antibodies and thyroid function in an unselected obstetric population.


METHODS
Saint-Pierrie Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.


METHODS
Seven hundred and thirty consecutive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic.


METHODS
Miscarriage and pregnancy induced hypertension.


RESULTS
Elevated antithyroperoxidase (TPO-Ab) and antithyroglobulin (TG-Ab) antibody titres are associated with an increased miscarriage rate. Also, asymptomatic thyroid abnormalities, mainly abnormal echo-structure but not antithyroid antibodies, are associated with pregnancy induced hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of thyroid auto-antibodies during pregnancy constitutes a marker of increased risk of miscarriage and poor obstetric prognosis.
Lejeune
B
B
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Grun
J P
JP
de Nayer
P
P
Servais
G
G
Glinoer
D
D
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies