Incidence of preterm delivery in gestational diabetes mellitus with and without hypothyroidism

Abstract

A variety of endocrine disorders complicate pregnancy. Diabetes is reported with increasing prevalence in general and in young people in particular, which has led to increase in the number of Pregnancies complicated with diabetes. Thyroid disorders are one among the common endocrine problems in pregnant women. The present study was done to find out if there is a relationship between the occurrence of these two disorders in pregnancy. The rate of preterm delivery is increased in GDM cases with hypothyroidism compared to the study group and it was statistically significant (p <0.05). The studies also indicate an increased risk of hypothyroidism in women with GDM and maternal thyroid hormone status was related to the degree of metabolic imbalance. The screening for GDM in women during early pregnancy tends to reduce morbidity in fetus and mother through dietary or drug management. Furthermore, the study emphasizes on the importance of evaluation of thyroid function in women with GDM owing to the increase in high perinatal and neonatal morbidity.