title: Thyroid diseases in pregnancy: a current and controversial topic on diagnosis and treatment over the past 20 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management of thyroid diseases during pregnancy requires special considerations because maternal thyroid diseases can have adverse effects on both pregnancy and fetus. Universal screening for thyroid diseases in pregnant women is not currently supported by studies with high evidence whereas guidelines have been released for individuals at high risk, although controversies are still in debate. Iodine prophylaxis should be performed systematically to women during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic search of PubMed/Medline and EMBASE concerning thyroid diseases and pregnancy have been conducted over the past 20 years and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data regarding prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases during pregnancy are reported from analysis of the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As thyroid dysfunction may cause profound impact on mother's and fetus's health, implementation by strict application of clinico-diagnostic flowchart and recommendations is of paramount importance when dealing with thyroid diseases during pregnant state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Giacobbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Onofrio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guastalla Civil Hospital, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. tonni.gabriele@ausl.re.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Granese
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007455:Iodine; D013974:Thyroxine
keywords: Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Iodine metabolism; Pregnancy; Thyroid dysfunction