Gestational thyrotoxicosis associated with emesis in early pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the thyroid profile and the prevalence of gestational thyrotoxicosis among women with emesis during early pregnancy.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Kenyatta National Hospital acute gynaecology ward and the ante-natal clinic.


METHODS
Seventy two women presenting with emesis up to 16 weeks gestation.


METHODS
The levels of FT3, FT4, TSH and beta-hCG during the first 16 weeks of gestation. Correlation between the thyroid hormones and beta-hCG as well as the severity of vomiting was also done.


RESULTS
The point prevalence of gestational thyrotoxicosis was 8.3%. There was a significant positive correlation between beta-hCG levels and FT3 and FT4 (P-values < 0.05), and a significant negative correlation between beta-hCG and TSH (P < 0.05). Correlation between the severity of vomiting and the thyroid hormones as well as beta-hCG was not statistically significant. Patients' age ranged from 14-38 years (median 26). Majority of the women studied were at a gestation of 8 to 11 weeks (38.9%). Most patients (84.7%) had one to five episodes of vomiting per day. Peak beta-hCG was at 12-15 weeks gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyrotoxicosis does occur among women with emesis in pregnancy in this set-up. Screening for it may be beneficial to such women and also those with high serum beta-hCG levels above the median for the gestational age.
Ndungu
J R
JR
Department of Human Pathogy, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Amayo
A
A
Qureshi
Z P
ZP
Kigondu
C Sekadde
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000209:etiology*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine