Thyroid hormones have profound variation during the life span and are associated with

severe adverse health impacts. Pregnancy, as an important reproductive event, has a profound but reversible effect on the thyroid gland and its functions.

Diagnosing thyroid diseases

during pregnancy can be difficult as the clinical signs and symptoms mimic those of  pregnancy. Hypothyroidism is associated with weight gain, fatigue and constipation while hyperthyroidism causes nausea and increased appetite.

Given the high prevalence of thyroid disturbances in pregnancy and associated risk to mother and fetus, this study was aimed to screen subclinical thyroid during pregnancy, to determine the incidence of thyroid disorders in pregnancy and to study the effects of thyroid disorders on maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancy. Hundred randomly selected Pregnant women coming for routine antenatal checkups were included in the study.

It is concluded from the present study that proportion of Thyroid abnormalities found were 11%. Proportion of Hypothyroidism was 10% while hyperthyroidism was 1%.

Preterm deliveries, miscarriage, Abruptio placenta, IUGR, Pre–eclampsia, still birth were the maternal outcomes while low birthweight was the most common fetal outcome. Our study concludes that there is a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy in India, majority being subclinical hypothyroidism, and Universal screening for hypothyroidism is highly desirable in our country.