Maternal thyroid disease and preterm delivery.
BACKGROUND
Preterm delivery is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the United States, and its incidence is increasing. The present manuscript reviews the literature on the relationship of hypothyroidism and/or autoimmune thyroid disease to preterm delivery.


METHODS
A PubMed search was used to identify all relevant articles. A reference search of all retrieved articles was undertaken. All articles identified in the search were included in the review.


RESULTS
Uncontrolled case series were discussed in the manuscript but not included in drawing conclusions from the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease in euthyroid women are associated with preterm delivery. A single intervention trial has documented a dramatic decrease in the incidence of preterm delivery in thyroid antibody-positive women treated with levothyroxine. Confirmatory studies are needed before universal screening and intervention can be recommended.
Stagnaro-Green
Alex
A
Touro University College of Medicine, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, USA. alex.stagnaro-green@touro.edu
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase