Hypothyroidism during pregnancy and its association to perinatal and obstetric morbidity: a review

Abstract There is currently no consensus among the different scientific societies on screening for thyroid dysfunction in the first trimester of pregnancy. Indeed, diagnosis and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy are controversial, as no cut-off value for thyrotropin (TSH) is universally accepted. TSH measurement may be influenced by different factors throughout pregnancy, but especially during the first trimester. The association between overt hypothyroidism during pregnancy and obstetric and perinatal complications is well established. It is also accepted that thyroid hormones are important for neurodevelopment of the offspring. However, there is no scientific evidence available about the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism and its treatment during the first trimester of pregnancy on children's neurodevelopment. In recent years, studies conducted in the offspring of mothers with subclinical hypothyroidism have reported new biochemical parameters which may eventually serve as biomarkers of offspring neurodevelopment and which are more reproducible and are measured at an earlier time than the conventional clinical tests.