The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies.
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women who are positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPOAb(+)] are prone to develop postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD) and permanent hypothyroidism. Selenium (Se) decreases thyroid inflammatory activity in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.


OBJECTIVE
We examined whether Se supplementation, during and after pregnancy, influences the thyroidal autoimmune pattern and function.


METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Endocrinology.


METHODS
A total of 2143 euthyroid pregnant women participated in the study; 7.9% were TPOAb(+).


METHODS
During pregnancy and the postpartum period, 77 TPOAb(+) women received selenomethionine 200 microg/d (group S1), 74 TPOAb(+) women received placebo (group S0), and 81 TPOAb(-) age-matched women were the control group (group C).


METHODS
We measured the prevalence of PPTD and hypothyroidism.


RESULTS
PPTD and permanent hypothyroidism were significantly lower in group S1 compared with S0 (28.6 vs. 48.6%, P<0.01; and 11.7 vs. 20.3%, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Se supplementation during pregnancy and in the postpartum period reduced thyroid inflammatory activity and the incidence of hypothyroidism.
Negro
Roberto
R
Department of Endocrinology, Azienda Ospedaliera LE/1, P.O. V. Fazzi, Piazza F. Muratore, 73100 Lecce, Italy. robnegro@tiscali.it
Greco
Gabriele
G
Mangieri
Tiziana
T
Pezzarossa
Antonio
A
Dazzi
Davide
D
Hassan
Haslinda
H
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D010298:Parity; D010919:Placebos; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People
D001323:Autoantibodies; D010919:Placebos; D013972:Thyrotropin; D012645:Selenomethionine; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase