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Abstract

Hypothyroidism during pregnancy has an adverse effect on both mother and child.Children born to untreated or undertreated mothers have profound effect on future intellectual development.Pregnancy is a stressful condition for the thyroid gland resulting in hypothyroidism in women with limited thyroid reserve or iodine deficiency.Prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnancy in the Indian population is 4.8-12%.There is change in the level of thyroxine-binding globulin, total thyroid-hormone level and change in the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) during normal pregnancy.Thyroid dysfunction has varied impact on pregnancy outcome.The risk of miscarriage is increased in autoimmune thyroid disease.Severe maternal hypothyroidism can result in irreversible neurological deficit in the offspring.Graves' disease (GD) can lead to pregnancy loss as well as fetal thyroid dysfunction.The most common cause of maternal hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.In this condition, the body mistakenly attacks the cells of the thyroid gland, leaving the thyroid without enough cells and enzymes to make enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs.Therefore, it is important to eat the right variety of foods in the correct proportions, a varied and healthy diet.Choose low fat, low calorie spread rather than butter or ordinary margarines avoid high salt intake and cut down on hidden fats & sugars (cakes, biscuits, chocolate) with calcium rich foods and / or supplements, and normal vitamin D levels.Along with the diet, it is recommended to all the women who already have known thyroid dysfunction should immediately go for thyroid function tests as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed.Careful monitoring of the medicine should be done during the course of pregnancy.